The Nigeria Governors Forum has said it cannot take a position on President Bola Tinubu’s state of emergency in Rivers State, emphasising its role as a platform for promoting unified policies and collaborating for sustainable socioeconomic growth.
In a statement on Saturday, NGF’s Director General, Abdulateef Shittu, said that taking positions on divisive partisan issues, regardless of how it’s phrased, reflects a poor understanding of history.
Rivers State has experienced political instability for nearly two years, with former Governor Nyesom Wike and his successor, Sim Fubara, vying for power, causing a governance deadlock.
In response, Tinubu declared a state of emergency in the state on Tuesday.
He suspended Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Odu, and all members of the state House of Assembly for six months.
Retired Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas was appointed as the sole administrator.
In response, the NGF urged the public and media to be understanding, expressing confidence that the right platforms and crisis management measures would address any such issues.
It stated, “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.
“Regardless, the Forum is reputed for its bold positions on governance and general policy matters of profound consequences, such as wages, taxes, education, and universal healthcare, among others.”