El-Rufai, Fayemi in race to succeed Governors Forum Chairman Yari

Governors Nasir el-Rufai (Kaduna) and Dr. Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti) are contesting for Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) chairman.

But there are indications that a Southwest candidate may get the job since the outgoing chairman, Zamfara State Governor Abdul-Aziz Yari, is from the North.

El-Rufai is, however, said to have insisted on getting the slot and he is yet to agree to step down for any of his colleagues.

The NGF has had six chairmen in the last 20 years when the nation returned to democracy.

The past chairmen are Alh. Abdullahi Adamu (Nasarawa, 1999 – 2004), Arc. (Obong) Victor Attah, (Akwa Ibom State 2004 -2006), Chief Lucky Igbinedion (Edo 2006 – 2007), Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, (Kwara 2007- 2011) Rotimi Amaechi ( Rivers from 2011 -2015) and Abdulaziz Yari(2015-2019).

According to sources, the NGF poll will hold on May 22 in Abuja ahead of the last National Economic Council meeting for the outgoing governors on May 23.

It was learnt that the governors have started consulting one another on who to elect as their chairman because of the tasks ahead of them, including the need to sustain a harmonious relationship with the President; payment of N30,000 minimum wage and the effects on states’ economy; increasing security challenges; and seeking a new formula for the funding of the Universal Basic Education(UBE).

A governor from Northcentral said: “Many governors are interested in leading the NGF, but the intrigues have left us with two choices – el-Rufai and Fayemi.

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“While some do not want el-Rufai for having his fingers in too many pies, others feel his closeness to President Muhammadu Buhari may add value. Most governors in the opposition parties, especially the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), are opposed to him.

“But Fayemi is rated as a liberal leader who has built bridges across all parties. He is also regarded as a governor who has the ears of Buhari and members of his ‘kitchen cabinet’.

“I think most of us prefer Fayemi to el-Rufai whose leadership style can be likened to that of an headmaster. He is also an academic with an international profile. But in politics, anything can change overnight.

“When we meet on May 22, we will look at all options and choose the best out of the two governors.”

A governor from the Northeast said: “We have a challenge at hand because the outgoing NGF chairman is leaving a big vacuum.

“The truth is that we have never had a successful NGF chairman like Abdulaziz Yari, who is a goal getter. He bailed us out many times by sourcing for funds from the President.

“Governors across all parties were at home with Yari because he succeeded in persuading President Muhammadu Buhari in approving the release of almost N2 trillion to states, including N713.7 0billion special intervention funds to states, London-Paris Club refund and other special funds.

“ The Zamfara State governor might have security and political problems at home and he is probably in a tinder box in his state but he has offered leadership, which is acceptable to all governors across the parties in the country.

“I think he wields much influence in the Presidency and he could assist a state at the press of a button. Most of us were surprised that he is having issues in his state.”

How Buhari, El-Rufai, Oyegun protested against Goodluck Jonathan in 2014

In 2014, President Muhammadu Buhari, Kaduna state governor, Nasir El-Rufai, All Progressives Congress (APC) national chairman, John Oyegun and others were pictured protesting against the Goodluck Jonathan-led federal government and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

L-R: APC chieftain, Nasir El-rufai; former APC publicity secretary, Chief Lai Mohammed; APC national chairman, Chief John Oyegun and President Muhammadu Buhari, at the APC salvation rally in Abuja

The protest tagged ‘Salvation Rally’, was aimed at drawing global attention to what the APC described as deliberate hijack of the Nigeria police and other security agencies by the ruling PDP.

According to them, the rally was essentially a clarion call against the increased spate of insecurity, killings, corruption, and police brutality against official opposition.

APC also accused former President Goodluck Jonathan and the PDP of gross incompetence and unprecedented display of impunity.

See more photos from the protest in 2014 below:

Fast forward three years later, and the APC being at the helm of affairs, is likely to suffer the same fate the opposition suffered in 2014.

About a few weeks ago, a group announced it would be staging an anti-Buhari rally to protest against the present administration over the 'supposed' state of the nation and popular Nigerian music icon, Tuface Idibia, popularly known as 2baba, alongside other top Nigerian artistes have vowed to join this march.

According to the Nigerian singer the protest which will hold on February 6, was never his creation but a call to action to speak up for his people.

In fact, Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti state has added his voice to the planned protest while many other top Nigerian personalities have been indifferent over the planned march against the president and the present administration.

Mixed reactions have trailed the proposed nationwide strike as some people are of the opinion that 2baba was paid by a politician while some have said they would stand with him.

In reaction to reports that the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) is trying to stop the protest because the musician didn't ask for official permission, Kaduna state senator, Shehu Sani said: "We came in to power through a popular mandate backed by an organised culture of protests and criticisms against an establishment and a system;any attempt by us to use the apparatus of the state to deny or suppress peaceful protest or manipulate the law to silence alternative views on the social media, contradicts all we hitherto claimed to represent or advocate."

Do you think 2baba is wrong to be part of the nationwide protest?