El Rufai’s nominee Gov Fayemi is NGF new chairman

Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, nominated by his counterpart, the governor of Kaduna State, Nasir el Rufai, has been elected the chairman of Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF).

The Forum also elected Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal of Sokoto State as the vice chairman. Both men are expected to serve in those capacities until 2021.

Addressing newsmen yesterday night in Abuja after a meeting of the forum, Governor of Zamfara state, Abdul Aziz Yari, said Fayemi and Tambuwal emerged through consensus, adding that Fayemi was nominated by the Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai and seconded by the Governor of Delta State, Ifeanyi Okowa.

Speaking, Governor Fayemi said his leadership would build on the success stories of Yari, adding that he would work with other arms of government to build a stronger nation.

“We are committed to a strong partnership with the federal government,” Fayemi said.

Yari said that the forum was concerned with the recent guidelines of the Nigeria Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) which, according to him, imposed a restriction on the powers of state and local governments to operate within constitutionally approved parameters.

“The new guidelines have no legal basis under the NFIU Act and are contrary to constitutional provisions which put the state joint local government account under the legislation of the state house of assembly,” he said.

On the current national security situation, the chairman said governors resolved to hold a meeting with President Muhammadu buhari to find a real and effective solution to the situation.