16 Governors Attend NGF Meeting, Ask Okonjo-Iweala to Resign if…

Governor Chibuike Amaechi

Chuks Okocha in  Abuja
Sixteen governors belonging to the Chibuike Amaechi faction of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) met last night in Abuja and asked the Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, to resign.

Reading the communique at the end of the meeting at 10.40p.m., the Chairman of NGF and Rivers State governor, said: “The non-compliance with the revenue projections of the Federal Government of Nigeria’s 2013 budget is a direct breach of the provisions of the Appropriation Act.

“Members expressed concern in the management of the economy by the Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance and called for the strict adherence to the 2013 Appropriation Act, failing which she should resign.

“The forum said the National Economic Council (NEC) is constitutionally responsible for the management of the economy and should be used for that purpose as opposed to the Economic Management Team (EMT) constituted by the presidency.”

The NGF further reiterated its earlier call on the National Assembly for the separation of the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation from the Accountant General of the federal government for accountability and better management of the economy.

The communiqué added that after a “review of the polio situation in the country, members recognised some progress had been made in 2013, compared to 2012.
“The forum enjoined all governors to remain focused and continue to drive the programme in their respective states until polio is completely eradicated.”

Also, Amaechi said the governors condoled with the wife of the president, Mrs. Patience Jonathan, over the death of her mother, Governor Babatunde Fashola over the death of his father, and the family of Olusegun Agagu over the death of the former Ondo State governor.

He said the NGF would hold a retreat in November this year.
One of the governors at the meeting told that the factional crisis in the NGF had negatively affected the governors, as they could no longer speak with one voice over the deductions from the Federation Account.

According to the governor, “States have not been able to receive their full allocation since March this year. The crisis is also affecting the State Peer Review Mechanism (SPRM).”

Governor Sule Lamido of Jigawa State was seen leaving the meeting barely 20 minutes after his arrival. He told THISDAY that he had just received information that one of his relations was dead.

According to him, “You know that I belong here, but I have to go because I just received news of the death of my close relation. So, I have to leave. I made my excuses before leaving.”

The governors in attendance were those of Rivers, Niger, Kwara, Ekiti, Osun, Ogun, Adamawa, Oyo, Lagos, Sokoto, Jigawa, Kano and Zamfara, and the Deputy Governors of Edo, Borno, Nasarawa States.