by Isi Esene

With speculations rife about the involvement of the Presidency in the high-powered politicking and horse-trading that characterised the chairmanship election of the Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF), President Goodluck Jonathan has come all out to deny any involvement in the intrigues following the election.

The election which took place at the Rivers state government lodge in Abuja on Friday saw the incumbent chairman, Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi retaining his seat as the chairman defeating Governor Jonah Jang of Plateau by 19 to 16 votes.

Several other governors led by Akwa Ibom’s Godswill Akpabio have, however, expressed their reservations at the conduct of the elections describing it as a sham.

The opposing governors have refused to recognise Amaechi’s victory resolving to constitute a parallel NGF with Jonah Jang as chairman.

With the presidency being fingered in the ensuing confusion, the Presidency has released a statement stating its case and urging the governors to settle their differences amicably.

See the full text of the release signed by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati below:

We have noted with regret the mischievous effort by sections of the mass media to portray President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan as an interested party and the main loser in yesterday’s election of the Chairman of the Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF).

Contrary to the impression of Presidential partisanship and interference in the affairs of the Governors Forum erroneously conveyed by some headlines in the media today, President Jonathan who is currently leading Nigeria’s delegation to the African Union Summit in Addis Ababa had no preferred candidate in the NGF elections and could therefore not have been “floored” by any other candidate as some newspapers sensationally reported.

President Jonathan has the greatest possible respect for the Nigerian
Governors Forum as an independent body of mature, responsible, and
knowledgeable elected political leaders who have a critical role to play in strengthening democratic governance in the country, and who are quite capable of running their own affairs without being tele-guided, as some media reports misleadingly implied.

The President has always shown a willingness to work harmoniously with any leadership freely and independently chosen by the Governors Forum for the collective progress and development of all sections of the country and will continue to do so.

He has not in the present instance or ever before, interfered in elections to leadership positions in the Governors Forum. Reports in the media which convey that impression are totally off the mark and the handiwork of mischievous individuals and groups with the intention of sowing the seeds of discord and disunity in the polity.

President Jonathan trusts that as true democrats and respected national political leaders, members of the Governors Forum will quickly resolve the issues and differences amongst them which emerged yesterday and continue to contribute effectively to national development as a strong, and progressive body.