The Rotimi Amaechi’s camp of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum, has dismissed their colleagues backing Plateau state’s Governor Jonah Jang as “childish and petty” for creating a parallel forum, led by Mr. Jang, in protest of last Friday’s election that returned Mr. Amaechi as NGF’s chairman.

Mr. Amaechi defeated Mr. Jang 19 to 16 to emerge the group’s leader in a keenly contested election which several governors say was fair and transparent.

But the outcome of the poll has since witnessed a bizarre twist with Mr. Jang and the other aggrieved governors naming a parallel body headed by Mr. Jang, after accusing the Amaechi-camp of rigging the election.

Mr. Jang chaired the splinter group’s meeting on Saturday, attended by 18 governors, and on Sunday, declared his “victory” an “act of God”.

His move is seen as a brazen usurping of the powers of Mr. Amaechi, the governor of Rivers state.

In a statement late Sunday, the Amaechi’s faction of the polarized group said it would not indulge in the “childish and petty” show of power by the Pro-Jang group, as it was clear Mr. Amaechi won the election, and remained the recognized leader of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum.

The group said there was an electronic evidence of a transparent election, confirming PREMIUM TIMES exclusive report of the existence of a video recording of the proceedings at the election on Friday.

“We are particularly worried about the deliberate misrepresentation of events at the election in the media by some members of the Forum in the bid to justify the setting up of a parallel group, following the defeat of Governor Jonah Jang in the keenly contested chairmanship election,” the statement, signed by Ekiti state governor, Mr. Fayemi, said.

“It is on record that all the 35 governors present voted and there is an electronic evidence of this, and Delta State Governor, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan, served as the Returning Officer in the Friday election that produced Governor Amaechi as chairman of NGF.”

The group said it was surprising how the endorsement of Mr. Jang by governors through signatures could translate to actual votes, sufficient to give Mr. Jang victory he now claims.

“Whereas the pro-Jang group had reportedly premised their position on earlier endorsement of Governor Jang’s candidature by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors Forum and the Northern Governors Forum, it suffices to state without any fear of contradiction that endorsement of a candidate does not translate to actual votes in any election. And even if they want to claim it as the result of the election, how come it was originally dated April and contained the names of Governor Ibrahim Geidam of Yobe State and Governor Hassan Dankwambo of Gombe State who were absent?

“A candidate can have countless endorsements ahead of an election, but electoral victory is determined mainly by the number of votes he is able to garner at the election.”

The statement said there was no need to engage in a “bizarre position being canvassed by the pro-Jang group” as it finds no need to demonstrate that Mr. Amaechi won the election.

“The results of the election, as announced by the electoral officer, is clear on the victory of Governor Amaechi. Rushing to Abuja to create the impression of being the so-called authentic Governors’ Forum is not only childish but petty,” the group said.

“At an appropriate time, a meeting of the Forum will be convened. For now, we are busy concentrating on our developmental works in our individual states rather than indulging in smear campaigns and distortions.”

Meanwhile, Mr. Uduaghan, governor of Delta state, has clarified his role in the election, saying he served as an “agent” for both candidates in the election, and not as the Returning Officer, as stated by Mr. Fayemi.

“I was not the Returning Officer for the election as claimed by Fayemi but acted as agents of both candidates for the election,” he said.

Mr. Uduaghan said he offered to be the agent of the two candidates for the election after a demand was made for four persons to serve as agents of the two candidates and no one offered to do so. “I wouldn’t know why Governor Fayemi will come out publicly to say what is not true,” he said.

Read full statement below.

Statement by Gov Kayode Fayemi on NGF crisis

“The attention of the leadership of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF) has been drawn to the distortion of the events leading to the election of Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State as Chairman of the Forum at its election held in Abuja on Friday.

“We are particularly worried about the deliberate misrepresentation of events at the election in the media by some members of the Forum in the bid to justify the setting up of a parallel group, following the defeat of Governor Jonah Jang in the keenly contested chairmanship election.

“While we are not interested in joining issues with the Pro-Jang group in their smear campaign in the media, we feel compelled to correct some of the negative impressions being created in the minds of unsuspecting members of the public through a pot pourri of fabricated stories and outright lies.

“It is on record that all the 35 governors present voted and there is an electronic evidence of this, and Delta State Governor, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan served as the Returning Officer in the Friday election that produced Governor Amaechi as chairman of NGF.

“Whereas the pro-Jang group had reportedly premised their position on earlier endorsement of Governor Jang’s candidature by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors Forum and the Northern Governors Forum, it suffices to state without any fear of contradiction that endorsement of a candidate does not translate to actual votes in any election. And even if they want to claim it as the result of the election, how come it was originally dated April and contained the names of Governor Ibrahim Geidam of Yobe State and Governor Hassan Dankwambo of Gombe State who were absent?

“A candidate can have countless endorsements ahead of an election, but electoral victory is determined mainly by the number of votes he is able to garner at the election.

“Having won the election, Governor Amaechi had demonstrated statesmanship by making his acceptance speech, which dwelled on his readiness to work with his opponent, Governor Jang and the need for the governors to work with the President of the Country, Dr Goodluck Jonathan in moving the country forward.

“Contrary to the rather bizarre position being canvassed by the pro-Jang group, we do not see any reason for us to demonstrate that we won the election. The results of the election, as announced by the electoral officer is clear on the victory of Governor Amaechi. Rushing to Abuja to create the impression of being the so-called authentic Governors’ Forum is not only childish but petty.

“At an appropriate time, a meeting of the Forum will be convened. For now, we are busy concentrating on our developmental works in our individual states rather than indulging in smear campaigns and distortions.

“We implore members of the public not to be hoodwinked by these deliberate distortions in the media. We also urge the media to help enlighten the public on the issues at stake in a bid to build a more enduring democracy.”