The North Central Governors Forum has disowned the North Central Peoples Forum, NCPF, recently formed by some elders in the region.
The Governors Forum, which held a virtual meeting on Monday to deliberate on the emergence of the NCPF, was presided by the Chairman of the Foum, and governor of Niger state, Abubakar Sani Bello.
According to a statement personally signed by Sani-Bello, a copy of which was made available to Ashenewsonline on Thursday, the Forum exhaustively deliberated and arrived at the following decisions:
‘That members of the Governor’s Forum were never consulted collectively or individually by those behind the emergence of the North Central Peoples Forum. The Governors saw the news in the media just like other Nigerians.
‘That as Governors of the North Central region, we are yet to be briefed about the objectives of the North Central Peoples Forum.
‘Wish to state categorically that the Governors are not part of the North Central Peoples Forum and shall not participate in its activities.
‘We recognise the constitutional right of individuals and groups such as the North Central Peoples Forum to form lawful associations and pursue their aspirations.
‘We reaffirm that as the North Central Governors we believe and are committed to the oneness of the North.
‘We also remain strongly committed to the objectives of the Northern Governors Forum under the leadership of Governor Simon Bako Lalong of Plateau State.
“We restate that the North Central Governors Forum shall continue to work for the sustainable socio-economic development of the North Central region and the progress of its people.
“That the North Central Governors Forum shall continue to welcome views, suggestions, recommendations and ideas that seek to promote the unity and development of the North central Zone and by extension the entire North,” the statement reads.
