Embattled
Governor of Rivers State, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi has reiterated his
claim to the chairmanship position of the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF)
and described those backing his Plateau State counterpart – Jonah Jang –
as undemocratic.
Amaechi, who was speaking Wednesday night to
State House correspondents at a mid-term dinner organised by President
Goodluck Jonathan at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, dispelled the
notion that the Forum was factionalised.
“I don’t know about NGF
factions. We are holding NGF meeting and we agreed that those of us who
were there should honour the president and attend the dinner, we have
attended. You saw all of them, some have left and I’m leaving too,” he
said.
When asked if he invited Jang to the NGF meeting which held
briefly last night, Amaechi said: “He was invited. What is my business
if he is not there? 16 governors voted for him, 19 governors voted for
me. If he doesn’t accept the 19, he is undemocratic. Anybody who
supports him, including television houses, are undemocratic. I have said
it in a statement that if at any point in time we cannot hold what 19
governors said, then we should be afraid of 2015.
“If
the PDP is suspending me for that reason, it is too bad. We must learn
to be democratic. I am not aware that the party has given any reason for
suspending me. If that is the reason, it is too bad. The party is yet
to give any reason for my suspension. I’m not aware that the party
suspended me for winning an election.”
Earlier, a brief meeting of
the Nigeria Governors Forum held at the Rivers Governor’s Lodge in
Abuja, from where the attendees proceeded to the Villa for the meeting
with the President.
According to Ekiti State governor, Kayode Fayemi, the NGF meeting was deferred to honour an invitation by the President.
Source: informationng