Zamfara Governor Emerges Chairman Of NGF After Reconciliatory Meeting

SAN FRANCISCO, May 19, (THEWILL) – Zamfara State Governor, Alhaji Abdullaziz Yari, has been chosen as the new Chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF), following a reconciliatory meeting of the two factions of the influential group in Abuja on Monday night.

Governor Yari's appointment came two years after a leadership crisis divided the Forum.

The meeting, which was presided over by Rivers State Governor, Chibuike Amaechi, was attended by 20 governors of states controlled by the All Progressives Congress as well as those controlled Peoples Democratic Party.

The forum is made up of 36 governors. However, Plateau State Governor, Jonah David Jang, the chairman of the other faction did not attend.

The forum was factionalised for over two years following political disagreements amongst members.

The crisis began in 2013 after some of the governors rejected the outcome of an election that produced Governor Amaechi of Rivers State as the chairman of the forum.

The incident led to the division of the forum, with governor Jang leading a faction while Governor Amaechi led another faction.

In a related development, Borno State Governor, Alhaji Kashim Shettima has been elected as the chairman of the Northern Governors Forum. Shetimma takes over from Niger State Governor, Babangida Muazu Aliyu.