Yesterday, Kayode Fayemi, the Ekiti State Governor, got elected as the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) till 2021 so it is no surprise that many have asked if he has what it takes to replace the outgoing Chairman, Abdul’aziz Yari, the Zamfara State Governor.

For the next two years, the former Minister of Solid Minerals will be sitting on a seat where prominent individuals such as Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, outgoing Senate President, Abubakar Olubukola Saraki, Lucky Igbinedion, among others once sat. This years’s selection didn’t come with much drama and from Yari’s announcement looked like a shoo-in. The value of NGF has grown in recent years and the forum was instrumental in negotiating the N30,000 minimumwage deal for civil servants. These values are not necessarily associated with partisan affiliations or ideological commitment but largely driven by current relationship with the presidency.

Over the years, the forum have held regular meetings and decisions taken were given some life. Successive leaders of NGF, from former Governors Abdullahi Adamu, Victor Attah and Bukola Saraki to current tenure of Rotimi Amaechi, all made their contributions. Through these leaders, NGF gradually evolved and it is still being shaped by so many factors. Under Yari’s leadership, the forum enjoyed a strong partnership with the President Muhammadu Buhari – led administration and that is expected to continue when Fayemi, the first South Western Chairman, takes over.

Fayemi has the key qualities to be a good Chairman of the Forum. In both his roles as Minister and Governor respectively, he has demonstrated his leadership and managerial abilities. His integrity is also obvious as he has embarked on projects across Ekiti State just like he promised during the campaigns.

Despite their recent involvement in the minimum wage issue, many still think the forum is a social hangout for the governors to just drink wine and laugh about their respective constituents. That is very far from the truth. The vision statement of the forum states: “An effective, proactive, inclusive, non-partisan forum which actively fosters, promotes and sustains democratic values, good governance and sustainable development in Nigeria.”

Therefore, the new leadership of the forum must drive NGF in line with its laudable vision statement. Fayemi should work with both the chairmen of the PDP Governors Forum and the Progressives Governors Forum so their respective members can work in synergy to bring sustainable growth and development to Nigeria. To promote good governance at every level, the forum must throw out party politics and look at every issue without bias and critically analyse it before taking any decision. They must always check and speak up against excesses of the Federal Government even though their leader is in the same party as the President.

Also, Fayemi-led forum must ensure that they are proactive, and not reactionary, especially on matters relating to public policy. They should ensure that they take action and deliberate successfully about a matter before it degenerates. Labour shouldn’t have to embark on a strike action before the forum meets to discuss.

The impact of the forum would be felteven more, if the members get equipped with strategic financial management skills that help them properly execute Federal Government project in their respective states. They should ensure that they don’t start projects to impress their constituents without getting the proper approval from the Federal Ministry of Works.

Governors have been warned time after time about reducing governance cost, block leakages and make sure that they properly manage their resources and increase their internally generated revenue. Even the Abdulaziz Yari, during the induction ceremony for newly and returning Governors, charged them to prepare for another round of recession.

I think the Forum should set up a Think-Tank-like committee that focuses on economic development and promote agendas that will be beneficial to Nigerians. They should also try to one another’s brother’s keeper by interacting with one another and giving advice or solutions to problems in other states.

Source: dailyadvent