Fayemi is New Governors Forum Chair

The governor of Ekiti state,Mr. Kayode Fayemi was on Wednesday night elected as the chairman of the Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF).

Fayemi emerged through a consensus after he was nominated by his Kaduna state counterpart, Mallam Nasir El-rufai. His nomination was seconded by the Delta state governor, Ifeanyi Okowa. 

Sokoto state governor, Aminu Tambuwal was elected as Fayemi’s deputy. Lagos state governor, Akinwunmi Ambode nominated him for his position and his nomination was seconded the Ondo state governor, Rotimi Akeredolu. 

Fayemi will take over from the outgoing chairman and governor of Zamfara state, Abdulaziz Yari. He will become the first governor from the southwest to head the forum since its creation 20 years ago. His emergence is a big blow to the camp of former Lagos state governor and a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr. Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Tinubu reportedly tried to prevent Fayemi from emerging as the forum’s chair because of his 2023 presidential ambition. Sources said Tinubu views the Ekiti governor as too ambitious and may try to become a clog in the wheel of his ambitions. 

As the battle of supremacy rages on in the APC among the various power blocs ahead of 2023 general elections, it is yet to be seen which camp will have the upper hand.