NGF Pledges Loyalty to Governors-Elect

The Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), an umbrella body for elected state governors in the country, has pledged its loyalty to all new and returning governors of the Forum. The Forum, in a statement by its Director-General, Dr Asishana Okauru, on Thursday in Abuja, said that he was highly elated that winners had emerged in almost all the states.
According to the statement:
“While congratulating winners, we urge them to be magnanimous in victory and, at the same time, urge other contestants to be gallant and gracious in defeat. “We recognised, as reported by Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), that a number of states recorded violent incidents, targeted at polling units, INEC officials, voters, election materials and that lives were lost. May the souls of all those that died rest in eternal peace. “We strongly advise all aggrieved candidates to seek legal redress within the parameters set by our laws, rules and regulations,” the statement added.
The NGF assured all governors-elect of its absolute loyalty and support. Dr. Okauru stated that the forum looks forward to a fruitful partnership with the new state chief executives. It added: “By the victory at the April 11, 2015 governorship election, the governors-elect have become automatic members of the NGF. “We pray to God to give them the wisdom, knowledge and understanding to govern their respective states”, the statement added.
It would be recalled that the activities of the forum had been seriously affected, following the factionalised 2013 NGF election that saw two Governors – Chibuike Amaechi (Rivers) and Jonan Jang (Plateau) laying claims to its leadership.