The Nigeria Governors’ Forum, NGF has clarified its silence on the political situation in River State, southern Nigeria stressing its role as a neutral policy body.
In a statement issued by the Forum’s Director General, Abdulateef Shittu, titled “NGF Clarifies Silence on Political Matters,” the forum explained that taking positions on partisan issues would divide its members, who belong to different political platforms.
The statement reads “the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) has received media enquiries requesting it to comment on some recent political developments in the country.
The forum wishes to clarify that it is an umbrella body for subnational governments to promote unified policy positions and collaborate with relevant stakeholders in pursuit of sustainable socioeconomic growth and the well-being of the people.
Varying political interests
As a technical and policy hub comprising Governors elected on different platforms, the body elects to steer clear of taking positions that may alienate members with varying political interests.
In whatever language it is written, taking positions on contentious partisan issues would mean a poor sense of history — just a few years after the Forum survived a fundamental division following political differences among its members.
Regardless, the forum is reputed for its bold positions on governance and general policy matters of profound consequences, such as wages, taxes, education, and universal healthcare, among others.
We call for the understanding of the public and the media, confident that appropriate platforms and crisis management mechanisms would take care of any such issues.
The clarification follows President Bola Tinubu’s recent declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, which led to the six-month suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, and elected members of the State House of Assembly.
Lateefah Ibrahim
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