Three serving governors, Rochas Okorocha of Imo State, Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State and Abdulaziz Yari of Zamfra State are the leading contenders for the chairmanship race of the Nigeria Governors Forum.
According to PM News, the election of the crisis-ridden forum is likely to hold today in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja.
Okorocha is the current chairman of the Progressives Governors Forum (PGF), an umbrella body for the state executives elected under the platform of the All Progressives Forum (APC).
Newly wedded Oshiomole is also a strong contender for the position as he is said to be very close to the powers that be in the incoming ruling party. His loyalty to the party overtime puts him in a good stead for the position as he is seen as an active contributor to the internal democratic process within the party.
For Yari, he stands an outside chance of getting the seat as he is not popular among his colleagues and also the fact that the President-elect is not only from his region, but also from his geo-political zone.
The forum was divided along party lines two years ago following the claims and counter-claims by Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State and his Plateau State counterpart, Jonah Jang, over the struggle of the forum’s leadership after a disputed election.
Amaechi pulled 19 votes against Jang’s 16 votes. But the Plateau governor was declared winner because of his closeness to the presidency. This however led to the defection of Amaechi and four other governors to the APC.
Meanwhile, there are strong indications that governors of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), may boycott the elections taking place today.
Already, Bayelsa State Governor, Seriake Dickson has warned against holding another governorship forum’s elections today as according to him, an election will be forcing a new leader on newly elected governors.
According to PM News, the election of the crisis-ridden forum is likely to hold today in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja.
Okorocha is the current chairman of the Progressives Governors Forum (PGF), an umbrella body for the state executives elected under the platform of the All Progressives Forum (APC).
Newly wedded Oshiomole is also a strong contender for the position as he is said to be very close to the powers that be in the incoming ruling party. His loyalty to the party overtime puts him in a good stead for the position as he is seen as an active contributor to the internal democratic process within the party.
For Yari, he stands an outside chance of getting the seat as he is not popular among his colleagues and also the fact that the President-elect is not only from his region, but also from his geo-political zone.
The forum was divided along party lines two years ago following the claims and counter-claims by Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State and his Plateau State counterpart, Jonah Jang, over the struggle of the forum’s leadership after a disputed election.
Amaechi pulled 19 votes against Jang’s 16 votes. But the Plateau governor was declared winner because of his closeness to the presidency. This however led to the defection of Amaechi and four other governors to the APC.
Meanwhile, there are strong indications that governors of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), may boycott the elections taking place today.
Already, Bayelsa State Governor, Seriake Dickson has warned against holding another governorship forum’s elections today as according to him, an election will be forcing a new leader on newly elected governors.
