Amaechi insists Jang didn’t win NGF election

Gov Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi

WorldStage Newsonline-- Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State has insisted that the Governor of Plateau State, Jonah Jang, did not win the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) chairmanship election, asking him to uphold democracy.

The NGF chairman said Tuesday at the Government House, Port Harcourt, while receiving a delegation of the Senators’ Forum of Nigeria, led by its Acting Chairman, Senator John Kodjo Brambaifa, that it was imperative for aspirants to always accept victory or concede defeat.

The forum is a registered body of serving and non-serving Nigerian senators, established in 2003, with no fewer than 500 members.

Amaechi said: “I thank you for coming. It shows how patriotic you are that you think that anything that will scuttle democracy or affect the progress of democracy in Nigeria must be addressed. You are not under any obligation to sort out anything happening in the NGF.

“I thank you for visiting my friend, the Governor of Plateau State. Like you know, he did not win the election and if he was sincere he should have confessed to you that he did not win the election.

“I hope that when you visited him, you encouraged him to uphold democracy, because democracy is about elections and it is about a party accepting victory and another party accepting defeat and working together for the progress of the institutions for which they have decided to compete or contest to administer.

“I must acknowledge that you have been very honest and patriotic and that the God we worship will bless all of you."

The Nigeria’s current political developments, according to the Senators’ Forum of Nigeria, also threaten national polity and peaceful co-existence.

The visiting senators said they were worried by the current challenges plaguing the country and the crisis in the NGF.

The forum said: “Your Excellency may wonder why the Senators Forum has chosen to visit your state at this time. 

As major stakeholders, members of the forum are very concerned about the current challenges in the country.

“Accordingly, we deem it pertinent to seek your kind permission to intervene for quick resolution of disputes that are likely to threaten our national polity and peaceful co-existence.

“You will recall that the Senate and indeed the National Assembly had cause in the past and even more recently, to intervene on some issues and challenges to our national unity, growth and development.

“The Forum, in discharge of its mandate, had resolved to consult major stakeholders in the country, with a view to strengthening and consolidating our democracy.

“It is in the light of this resolve that the forum, through our letter dated August 21, 2013, wrote seeking audience with your Excellency to discuss matters of urgent national importance, with a view to bringing down the political tempo and douse the tension.”

While commenting on the NGF crisis, Senator Brambaifa reiterated that the Senators’ Forum had already met with Plateau governor, for peaceful resolution of the crisis and also had consultations with stakeholders on the country’s challenges and how to tackle them.

Brambaifa said: “Your Excellency, it may interest you to note that the Forum had already met with your colleague, Governor David J. Jang of Plateau State recently and had very fruitful discussion.

“Your Excellency, our consultations are ongoing and we will not rest until our dear nation achieves greatness through democracy and good governance. We thank you most sincerely for your courtesy, hospitality and kind attention”.

The leader of delegation also lauded Amaechi for the positive developmental changes in the state.

He added: “Your Excellency, while traversing your state, we have noticed positive developmental changes. We commend your efforts and trust that it shall continue to the satisfaction of all and sundry. For with peace comes progress and development.”

Among those on the delegation were Senators Nnamdi Ereobuna, Haruna Zigwaziz, M. T. Ombu (Jnr.), Abubakar Muadi, Ibrahim Mohammed, Ifeanyi Ararume, Sylvanus Ingele and Dogwa Jibril.