Amaechi: NGF Meetings Will Hold With Or Without Jang And His Supporters

Ameachi-and-Jona-JangEmbattled 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.