NGF Justifies Silence on Fubara’s Suspension

The Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) has justified its silence on State of Emergency in Rivers State and suspension of Governor Sim Fubara by President Bola Tinubu.

NGF in a statement issued on Saturday by the Director General, Dr. Abdulateef Shittu says the forum don’t usually express opinion on political matters.

The Director General said the forum focuses on governance and general policy matters of profound consequences, such as wages, taxes, education, and universal healthcare, among others.

The statement read in part: “The Forum wishes to clarify that it is an umbrella body for subnational governments to promote unified policy positions and collaborate with relevant stakeholders in pursuit of sustainable socioeconomic growth and the well-being of the people.

“As a technical and policy hub comprising Governors elected on different platforms, the body elects to steer clear of taking positions that may alienate members with varying political interests.

“In whatever language it is written, taking positions on contentious partisan issues would mean a poor sense of history — just a few years after the Forum survived a fundamental division following political differences among its members.”