The Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) has announced it will not take a position on the state of emergency declared in Rivers State by President Bola Tinubu, reiterating its role as a platform for fostering unified policies and facilitating cooperation for the country’s sustainable socioeconomic development.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the NGF’s Director General Abdulateef Shittu, emphasized that taking positions on divisive partisan issues is counterproductive, noting that such actions would indicate a lack of understanding of historical context.
Rivers State has experienced political turmoil for almost two years, with a power struggle between former Governor Nyesom Wike and his successor, Governor Siminalayi Fubara, leading to a governance deadlock. In response to the ongoing instability, President Tinubu declared a state of emergency on Tuesday, suspending Governor Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Odu, and the entire state House of Assembly for six months. Retired Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas was subsequently appointed as the sole administrator of the state.
The NGF expressed understanding for the ongoing situation, calling on the public and media to approach the matter with patience. The statement reinforced the Forum’s position that it is primarily focused on promoting collaborative governance that benefits all Nigerians, regardless of political affiliations.
“The Forum wishes to clarify that it is an umbrella body for subnational governments, aimed at promoting unified policy positions and collaborating with relevant stakeholders for sustainable growth and the well-being of the people,” the NGF said.
Highlighting the diverse political landscape within the Forum, the statement clarified that taking stances on contentious partisan issues could alienate members with differing political views. “Taking positions on divisive partisan matters, regardless of how it is phrased, would demonstrate a poor understanding of history,” it added, referencing the Forum’s survival of a significant internal division in recent years caused by political differences among its members.
While refraining from commenting on the emergency rule in Rivers, the NGF reiterated its commitment to addressing key governance issues like wages, education, taxes, and healthcare, where it has traditionally taken bold and unifying positions.
