NewStats: 3,263,838 , 8,181,591 topics. Date: Sunday, 08 June 2025 at 09:02 AM 23176w

Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja



Intrigues over the 2023 presidential race will determine who emerges the new chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF) as the 36 state governors gather in Abuja today to pick a successor to the outgoing Chairman, Governor Abdul’aziz Yari of Zamfara State.

Findings by THISDAY yesterday showed that the permutations by the governors over the next election season would influence their votes.

Although the next general election is four years away, Nigerian politicians have begun subterranean campaigns for the 2023 presidential poll shortly after the conclusion of the 2019 general election.

President Muhammadu Buhari who got a mandate renewal in the last general election, and is due to begin his second term in office from May 29,2019, is not eligible to run again due to constitutional restrictions to a two-term tenure for any elected president.

Sources told THISDAY that Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, looked good to clinch the NGF chairmanship despite plots to stop him.

Besides Fayemi of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), who is said to enjoy of his colleagues in the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), another governor mentioned as being in the race is his Kaduna State counterpart, Mallam Nasir el-Rufai.

But one of the sources confided in THISDAY that el-Rufai would not be running.

It was gathered that some officials in the presidency and a top politician in the South-west were behind the plot to stop Fayemi from possibly succeeding Yari.

Those behind the plot were said to have anchored their position on the suspicion that Fayemi, who would have completed his second-term tenure might bid for the presidency.

Sources familiar with the NGF politics said the governors had broken up into interest-driven blocs.

According to him, five of the governors are eyeing the NGF chairmanship position.

But only Fayemi has shown a disposition to running for the NGF chairmanship.

Apart from being considered highly qualified for the job because of his ranking as a second-term governor from the majority party, Fayemi is currently the only one with such credential in APC from the southern part of the country, which is being tipped to produce Yari’s successor.

According to the NGF Constitution, only second term governors from the majority party are qualified to contest for the chairmanship of the NGF.

The position is also to rotate between Northern governors and their Southern counterparts.

But there are others who, though are being propped up to run by some influential sponsors, who have not come out to canvass .

So far, there are about three powerful interests that may play a role in deciding who picks the forum’s chairmanship slot.

One of the interests is said to be that of Yari, who is said to favour the emergence of the Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, as his successor.

“Yari is ing Governor Bello to contest for the position but the Kogi governor is facing an obstacle, which is the pending governorship election in November that will either see him retain his seat or drop out as governor,” one of the sources said.

Another powerful lobby group are governors who are said to have consented to do the bidding of one of the APC leaders in the South-west to prevent Fayemi from emerging the chairman of the NGF.

Also, there is another bloc said to be aligning with former Rivers State Governor and current Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, to produce the next chairman of the forum.

Amaechi was a former chairman of the NGF under whose watch the forum was plunged into a crisis over jostling for the 2015 general election.

Some officials in the Presidency were also said to have pushed for the Jigawa State Governor, Alhaji Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, to contest for the position.

But the governor reportedly declined, saying he does not want to break the rotation tradition in the NGF.

However, despite the concealed plots, one of the governors told THISDAY last night that the election would turn out to be a coronation.

He said consensus had emerged among the governors that Fayemi should be the next NGF chair.

He said the governors were mindful of preventing a repeat of the NGF election under Amaechi when the forum broke into factions following disagreements ahead of the 2015 general election.

On the alleged plots to stop Fayemi, the governor said while that might not be ruled out, there was no serious disagreements among the governors on who succeeds Yari.

“People who are not of the NGF would be plotting their own, but among us, there is consensus on the direction to go,” the governor said.

He dismissed speculations about el-Rufai running, saying the Kaduna governor was one of those that drafted his Ekiti counterpart into the race.

He said: “In fairness to Nasir (el-Rufai) that people are saying is running for the position, he was the first person to ask him (Fayemi) to contest.

“He (el-Rufai) said Kayode (Fayemi), you’re the best to contest. Not only are you the oldest among us, you also have a network that cuts across many parts of the country. I cannot do it because I am outspoken and controversial; and I know PDP governors will not me.You (Fayemi), your position is your position, yet you will still play with everybody. But me, I’m not cut for such diplomacy.”

Another source quoted el-Rufai as saying that it would be preposterous for anyone from the North to be scheming to become the chairman of the NGF after another governor from the same region had just concluded his tenure.

The source said: “When I asked him, el-Rufai, I learnt you are contesting for NGF chairmanship, the governor responded, no, I’m not interested. I was the one who told Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi to be coming to meetings so that he can take over from Governor Yari because anybody from the North who attempts to contest for the position is just trying to breach our constitution.”

He quoted el-Rufai to have added:

“We are democrats, we are elected and we should not be seen to be breaching our own constitution. If we do so, we will be facilitating other persons to be breaching the constitution.”

A top APC chieftain confirmed to THISDAY that the top politician from the South-west doesn’t want Fayemi because of the belief that he is too ambitious and could split the votes in the South-west zone.

“You know this NGF election is about 2023 presidential election. Everybody knows that Buhari will go in 2023 and that he would not interfere with who emerges the party’s candidate. So everybody is trying to position himself,” he said.

When ed yesterday, the Head, Media and Public Affairs at the NGF, Abdulrazaque Bello-Barkindo, only confirmed that the governors’ meeting has been scheduled for 8p.m, Wednesday (today).

He, however, did not state the modalities for the conduct of the election nor provide any information regarding those that may contest.

https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2019/05/22/2023-race-intrigues-shape-bid-for-ngf-chair/

A top APC chieftain confirmed to THISDAY that the top politician from the South-west doesn’t want Fayemi because of the belief that he is too ambitious and could split the votes in the South-west zone.

If Fayemi or El Rufai wins, the game is over for Tinubu's ambition.

dukie25:


If Fayemi or El Rufai wins, the game is over for Tinubu's ambition.

Hahaha! It's Tinubu again. If you don't mention his name in a day you won't collect your pocket money.

dukie25:


If Fayemi or El Rufai wins, the game is over for Tinubu's ambition.

Trash!!!!!!!!
Who do u think projected Fayemi for governorship position? Don't blinded by ur hatred for Jagaban

dukie25:


If Fayemi or El Rufai wins, the game is over for Tinubu's ambition.

dukie25, you seem to be so obsessed with Tinubu these days. What could be the cause?
I don't think Tinubu knows you personally for has he offended you personally. I don't even think he sacked someone close to you from his/her job.
You may not even be from SW self.

This is getting out of hand bro, try to build your life instead of looking for a way to pull the old man down, even if he falls today, he has tried...one of the reasons I don't laugh at Saraki.

BTW, I hope you don't see him in your dreams?

Seems its rotational. A southerner should get it

The Chairman NGF has always been a powerful person that positions himself for future political position.
Amaechi and Saraki are typical example.
Fayemi will really do well , his matured, disciplined, bold and firm on his principles and policies.
A future great leader in any capacity.

Hell-Rufia should win the NGF's chairman first then I will know he is fit to battle with Jagaban and capable of eliminating godfatherism. Fayemi is a man I respect a lot, he truly deserves it. A win for Fayemi is a win for Tinubu.

They keeping attacking Jagaban, he keeps winning is battle silently. Only God can stop Tinubu in 2023 . Very intelligent and strategic.Weather Tinubu gets the ticket or not, one thing is sure, the ticket is going to SW.

Stupid set of people. We are 2019 and the country is in a mess. Instead of them to be looking for solutions they are planing how to rule again in 2023.

[quote author=Peacecore post=78609511]
Trash!!!!!!!!
Who do u think projected Fayemi for governorship position? Don't blinded by ur hatred for Jagaban[/OLOSHI LIKE YOU PLENTY FOR NIGERIA

Fayemi has a very likable personality. I think he should go for it.

[quote author=Peacecore post=78609511]
Trash!!!!!!!!
Who do u think projected Fayemi for governorship position? Don't blinded by ur hatred for Jagaban[OLOSHI LIKE YOU PLENTY FOR NIGERIA

CrimeKsmart:
Hell-Rufia should win the NGF's chairman first then I will know he is fit to battle with Jagaban and capable of eliminating godfatherism. Fayemi is a man I respect a lot, he truly deserves it. A win for Fayemi is a win for Tinubu.

They keeping attacking Jagaban, he keeps winning is battle silently. Only God can stop Tinubu in 2023 . Very intelligent and strategic.Weather Tinubu gets the ticket or not, one thing is sure, the ticket is going to SW.

It is rotational

El Rufai is projecting Fayemi whereas Tinubu is opposing Fayemi. All these liars will come here with the claim Tinubu is projecting Fayemi. The position is rotational and also Fayemi is d only APC governor in his 2nd tenure in the entire south.
El Rufai master strategist at it again, he ensured Jagaban candidate didn't get CBN governor.

Restructuring is all we need


SW is self sufficient

Poor work! Damage control from El-rufai, he can do better than this

celeiyke:
El Rufai is projecting Fayemi whereas Tinubu is opposing Fayemi. All these liars will come here with the claim Tinubu is projecting Fayemi. The position is rotational and also Fayemi is d only APC governor in his 2nd tenure in the entire south.
El Rufai master strategist at it again, he ensured Jagaban candidate didn't get CBN governor.

Lol

You fell for El-rufai's antics.

celeiyke:
El Rufai is projecting Fayemi whereas Tinubu is opposing Fayemi. All these liars will come here with the claim Tinubu is projecting Fayemi. The position is rotational and also Fayemi is d only APC governor in his 2nd tenure in the entire south.
El Rufai master strategist at it again, he ensured Jagaban candidate didn't get CBN governor.

Your tears are delicious

El Rufai put Fayemi up against Tinubu's wishes

Hahahahahahahahaha.

Why is no flat head considered worthy of the post ? Is it because they are useless pigs ?

Q

Nigerians deserve APC.

They won an election a few months ago and none of them are talking about fixing the socioeconomic disaster that Nigeria has become.

Instead, less than 2 weeks after winning the elections the focus shifted to 2023.

By then at least 150m Nigerians will be in abject poverty.

Make sure you are not amongst such.

celeiyke:
El Rufai is projecting Fayemi whereas Tinubu is opposing Fayemi. All these liars will come here with the claim Tinubu is projecting Fayemi. The position is rotational and also Fayemi is d only APC governor in his 2nd tenure in the entire south.
El Rufai master strategist at it again, he ensured Jagaban candidate didn't get CBN governor.

Hate induced delusion