The Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) has explained its silence on the ongoing political crisis in Rivers State, stating that it deliberately avoids taking sides in partisan issues that could divide its members.
In a statement on Saturday, 22nd of March, NGF Director General Abdulateef Shittu emphasized that the forum is an umbrella body for all 36 state governors, drawn from different political parties, and focuses on unified policy positions rather than political controversies.
“We have received several media enquiries regarding our position on the Rivers State crisis. However, taking sides in such a matter would go against our guiding principles and risk creating divisions within the Forum,” the statement read.
Shittu noted that while the NGF has previously taken firm stances on national issues like taxation, minimum wage, healthcare, and education, it remains committed to governance rather than political disputes.
President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State on Tuesday, suspending Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Odu, and all elected members of the State House of Assembly. In their place, he appointed retired Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas as the state’s administrator.
The NGF urged the public to understand its neutral stance, stating that appropriate platforms and crisis management mechanisms exist to address such political conflicts.
