SENATORS’ FORUM VISIT AMAECHI ON RECONCILIATION, NATIONAL UNITY Worried by the current challenges plaguing the country and the crisis in the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, the Senators’ Forum of Nigeria have visited the Rivers State Governor and Chairman of Nigeria Governors’ Forum, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, as part of its effort to resolve the crisis. The Acting Chairman of the Senators’ Forum of Nigeria, Senator John K. Brambaifa who spoke when he led a delegation of Senators of the Forum on a visit to Governor Amaechi in Government House, Port Harcourt on Tuesday, said they were very concerned about the current political developments that threaten national polity and peaceful co-existence. “Your Excellency may wonder why the Senators forum has chosen to visit your state at this time. As major stakeholders, members of the forum are very concerned about the current challenges in the country. Accordingly, we deem it pertinent to seek your kind permission to intervene for quick resolution of disputes that are likely to threaten our national polity and peaceful co-existence”. “You will recall that the Senate and indeed the National Assembly had cause in the past and even more recently, to intervene on some issues and challenges to our national unity, growth and development. The Forum, in discharge of its mandate, had resolved to consult major stakeholders in the country with a view to strengthening and consolidating our democracy. It is in the light of this resolve that the Forum, through our letter dated August 21st 2013, wrote seeking audience with your Excellency to discuss matters of urgent national importance, with a view to bringing down the political tempo and douse the tension”. On the NGF crisis, Senator Brambaifa recalled that the Senators’ Forum had already met with Plateau state Governor, Jonah Jang for peaceful resolution of the crisis. He said they had already had consultations with stakeholders on the country’s challenges and how to tackle them. He said: “Your Excellency, it may interest you to note that the Forum has already met with your colleague, Governor David J. Jang of Plateau state recently and had very fruitful discussion. Your Excellency, our consultations are ongoing and we will not rest until our dear nation achieves greatness through democracy and good governance. We thank you most sincerely for your courtesy, hospitality and kind attention”. He used the occasion to commend Governor Amaechi for the positive developmental changes in the state. “Your Excellency, while traversing your state, we have noticed positive developmental changes. We commend your efforts and trust that it shall continue to the satisfaction of all and sundry. For with peace comes progress and development”. Shedding light on the Senators’ Forum, Senator Brambraifa said it is a registered body of serving and non-serving Senators in Nigeria established in 2003 with membership of about 500. Responding, Governor Amaechi, while thanking the senators, described them as being patriotic. He spoke about the need to uphold democracy in the country where aspirants should simply accept victory or concede defeat, recalling that he clearly won the NGF election. “I thank you for coming. It shows how patriotic you are that you think that anything that will scuttle democracy or affect the progress of democracy in Nigeria must be addressed. You are not under any obligation to sort out anything happening in the Nigeria Governors’ Forum...". “I thank you for visiting my friend, the Governor of Plateau State. Like you know, he did not win the election and if he was sincere he should have confessed to you that he did not win the election. I hope that when you visited him you encouraged him to uphold democracy because democracy is about elections and it is about a party accepting victory and another party accepting defeat and working together for the progress of the institutions for which they have decided to compete or contest to administer...I must acknowledge that you have been very honest and patriotic and that the God we worship will bless all of you..." Among those on the delegation were Senators Nnamdi Ereobuna, Haruna Zigwaziz, M. T. Ombu (Jnr.), Abubakar Muadi, Ibrahim Mohammed, Ifeanyi Ararume, Sylvanus Ingele and Dogwa Jibril. PRESS UNIT, GOVERNMENT HOUSE PORT HARCOURT September 3, 2013
Posted on: Tue, 03 Sep 2013 14:52:24 +0000