- By Halimah Olamide
Amidst differing political issues arising at the National Assembly, Rivers State and others, the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF)has said it is limited from making comments because of the sensitive nature of the body.
Saying it does not want to be seen as partisan, NGF said it is “expected to steer clear of taking positions that might alienate members with varying political interests.”
Abdulateef Shittu, NGF’s Director-General, said this on Saturday in Abuja.
“As a technical and policy hub,” he stated, “NGF had received media enquiries requesting it to comment on some recent political developments in the country.
“The forum wishes to clarify that it is an umbrella body for sub-national governments to promote unified policy positions and collaborate with relevant stakeholders in pursuit of sustainable socio-economic 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 ago, the forum survived a fundamental division following political differences among its members,” he said.
Shittu, however, said that regardless, the forum was reputed for its bold positions on governance and general policy matters of profound consequences.
These, according to him, include wages, taxes, education and universal healthcare, among others.
He called for the understanding of the public and the media, confident that appropriate platforms and crisis management mechanisms would take care of any of such issues.
NPO Reports that the forum has not reacted to issues around the controversial declaration of State of Emergency in Rivers state and the ongoing crisis at the Senate over the suspension of the senator representing Kogi Central senatorial district, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
The female lawmaker had accused the senate president, Godswill Akpabio of sexually harassing her saying this was the reason her seat in the floor of the senate was changed.