Amaechi, Oshiomhole, Okorocha shun meeting

The schism in the Nigeria Governors'
Forum (NGF) was on display yesterday,
with some governors shunning the
meeting of the Southsouth/Southeast
governors held in Enugu.
Governors Chibuike Amaechi (Rivers),
Rochas Okorocha (Imo) and Adams
Oshiomhole (Edo) did not attend the
meeting held at the Enugu Governor's
Lodge. They did not send
representatives.
The other governors in the zone, who are
known to be pro President Goodluck-
Jonathan's 2015 ambition, attended.
They are host Governor Sullivan Chime
(Enugu), Peter Obi (Anambra), Seriake
Dickson (Bayelsa), Godswill Akpabio
(Akwa Ibom), Martin Elechi (Ebonyi),
Theodore Orji (Abia), Liyel Imoke (Cross
River State) and Emmanuel Uduaghan
(Delta).
Obi, chairman of the Southeast Governors
Forum, said the meeting discussed ways
of collaboration between the two zones.
He said: "We met today in Enugu and
discussed how the two zones will work
together economically in the area of
infrastructure.
"Akwa Ibom and Abia states have
reached an understanding to work with
the private sector to reconstruct and
dualise the bad Ikot-Ekpene-Aba Road in
order to improve economic activities
within the corridor of both states.
"We also discussed the issue of oil theft
and how to curb it. We discussed the
issue of ethnic harmony between the
zones and how to promote it.
"Finally, we commend the President of
the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The
various programmes shown in the mid-
term report clearly shows that the
transformation agenda is on course and
we pledge to continue supporting him."
Obi did not entertain reporters' questions
after the meeting. He drove off. The
other governors also did not speak with
reporters.
Oshiomhole's Special Adviser (Media), Mr.
Kazeem Afegbua, described the meeting
as "a non-issue that does not bother the
comrade governor."
He said: "What is happening in Enugu
State is a non-issue. Is that the Nigeria
Governors Forum? We don't need to
bother ourselves with that. When the
Governors' Forum meeting is called by
the proper person, the man will attend."
Imo State Commissioner for Information
Chinedu Offor said Okorocha did not shun
the meeting, but had other engagements
that clashed with it. But he did not speak
on why the governor did not send his
deputy. Amaechi's reaction as promised
by his aides, did not come before press
time.
Source: the nation