Zamfara Governor succeeds Amaechi As Chairman Of Nigeria Governors Forum

Posted by African Examiner Featured, Latest Headlines, News Tuesday, May 19th, 2015

*As NGF Wants Okonjo-Iweala To Account For $20 Billion Excess Crude Accruals

By Ganiyu Nasirudeen – As the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) unveiled the Zamfara State Governor, Abdulaziz Yari as its new Chairman, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of Economy, Dr. Mrs Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has been asked by the forum to explain the sum of $20 Billion – accruals for the excess crude account for the last two years.

Immediate past Chairman of the Forum and Rivers State Governor, Rt. Hon. Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi (Middle), His successor, Governor Yari of Zamfara State (L) and Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa-Ibom state.

Immediate past Chairman of the Forum and Rivers State Governor, Rt. Hon. Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi made the demand early Tuesday morning in Abuja, in a communique he presented at the close of the country’s Governors’ meeting.

The former NGF Chairman stated that the forum demanded for detailed explanations on how the sum was accrued and disbursed within the period in focus.

In his words, the fact that funds in the Excess Crude Account were last disbursed in May 2013, there was need for the Minister in charge to provide explanations for accruals to this account from June 2013 to April 2015 which was estimated at “over $20 billion”.

Governor Amaechi in the communique confirmed that the Governors’ Forum has reconciled and reconstituted into one single association of the 36 state Governors of Nigeria, irrespective of the region.

Speaking further on the just concluded meeting, Governor Amaechi, whose tenure expired this month, informed that the induction Programme for new and returning Governors would hold in June 2015.

The induction, the outgoing Governor of Rivers pointed out was “aimed at equipping new and returning Governors with the knowledge of global best practices in establishing and running their offices.”

The communique also revealed that the Governors also resolved to establish a Governors’ Forum Academy to be called “The NGF Leadership Academy,” which he explained would be responsible for capacity building of Governors and other officials.

Governor Yari’s one year tenure is expected to last till May 2016. He emerged by consensus.

Those who attended the meeting are: Governors of Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Zamfara, Borno, Benue, Oyo, Bauchi, Kwara, Delta, Edo, Kebbi, Niger, Kaduna, Osun, deputy governors of Nasarawa, Kogi, Imo and deputy governor who is also governor–elect of Kano.