Bishop Kukah urges NGF to resolve differences

Bishop Mathew Kukah, Bishop of Sokoto Catholic Diocese, has called on the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) under the chairmanship of Gov. Chibuike Amaechi of Rivers to ensure the forum`s unity.

Kukah, who was a guest speaker at the 2nd NGF retreat holding in Sokoto, made the call on Saturday in Sokoto, saying it was imperative for the forum to remain united.

“I would be failing in my responsibilities as a Priest if I do not say this,'' he said.

He also noted that the transition between late President Ya`radua and President Goodluck Jonathan and the Boko Haram insurgency was perfect timing for a coup.

According to him, the Boko Haram insurgency was literally evident that government was failing and a perfect timing for a coup to take place.

Kukah stressed that since the two instances above did not result into a coup, it was evident that Nigerians had committed themselves to the country.

“Your duties and responsibilities as governors is to give us the confidence that we need.

“To me, you are 36 governors in this country and you most find a way to making sure that all of you meet in one building.

“No matter what it takes, you have to have that programme otherwise democracy is in danger, the future is in danger and you will all be held accountable,'' Kukah told Amaechi.

He assured the governors of his prayers and support but urged them to be up to their responsibilities and to give Nigerians a reason to love politics and politicians.

The  forum had since its last chairmanship election in May 24, been factionalised.

Also speaking at the retreat, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, former EFCC boss, said that the actions and inactions of governors and those in leadership affected the way the common man sees democracy.

The former EFCC boss spoke on the role of States in Deepening Democracy and Federalism in the country.

He said governors had to sit up and take their responsibilities seriously in order to deepen the country`s democracy.

He stressed that corruption should also be avoided by governors if they must make genuine progress.

Ribadu maintained that good governance did not come by magic but through strong willed political leaders whom were selfless, sincere, committed and cosmopolitan.

Gov. Fayemi Koyode of Ekiti, said that the syndrome of “godfatherism'' in Nigerian politics was a bane of the country`s  democracy.

He also said that security, judiciary, INEC, the military and money were the tin gods in Nigerian politics that should be fought by politicians and those in government.

This, he said, would ensure that the people became responsible for putting governors in office.