EKITI'S STATE GOVERNOR DR. KAYODE FAYEMI EMERGES AS THE NEW NGF'S PRESIDENT.

Dr. John Kayode Fayemi

His profile has continued to soar high since he came back for his 2nd term as the Executive Governor of Ekiti State after taking over from rabble-rouser extraordinaire, Peter "the rock" Ayodele Fayose.

At least Ekiti is not just in the news for just about anything anymore, peace and normalcy had since taken over and people are seemingly just moving about doing their things quietly.

And now the very calm, highly cerebral Executive Governor of Ekiti State, His Excellency, Dr. Kayode Fayemi has added another feather to his enviable cap after emerging unanimously as the new chairman of the quite influential Nigeria's Governors Forum (NGF). The news of his emergence  wouldn't have been anything extraordinary had it not being that its the "first time in the history of the NGF that a Governor from the SW would be occupying such a position". And with Dr. Kayode Fayemi being an expert in war & conflict resolution, he would bring that expertise to bear on his colleagues as the Governors would engage all other arms of Government. So it's a very very positive and very welcomed development. The days of unnecessary confrontations without necessarily achieving anything, might just be long gone afterall.

The new NGF chairman is known to be a very good ally of the President of Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari, who he served meritoriously as a Minister for Solid Minerals. before he resigned to vie again for the Governorship of his state.

The new chairman was nominated for the post by the Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, who was seconded by the Governor of DELTA state, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa. He would be leading the NGF for the next 2years till 2021.

Also elected as the Vice-chairman of the forum was the Governor of Sokoto state, Governor Aminu Tambuwal, who was nominated by the outgoing Governor of Lagos State, Akinwunmi Ambode who was seconded by the Governor of Ondo state, Rotimi Akeredolu.

In his acceptance remark, Dr. Fayemi expressed his gratitude for the confidence reposed on him by his colleagues.

He then pledged to build on the achievements of his predecessors and success stories of the forum.

“We will build on commitments with strong partnership with the Federal Government as federating unit and trash out issues as amicably as possible, in the over all interest of the country,” he said.

He then pledged that they would represent the interests of Nigeria irrespective of their political affiliations.

“Whatever we are going to do will be in overall interest of the nation in ensuring that our states are continuously strengthened,”

“Our country derives the benefit of strong, dedicated states to our citizens and the partnership with all arms of government, development partners working with us in the over all interest of Nigeria.

He commended the outgoing chairman of the forum and the secretariat for their commitment to states and Nigeria at large.

Kudos to Dr. Kayode Fayemi on a well deserved appointment. And some have even begun to look forward and ahead already as far as 2023 & are believing the calm mien of the Ekiti state Governor might just be leading him towards the presidency.

Would it happen or wouldn't it happen? Let's just wait and see, for like they say, time is the judge.

What is more curious though is that a coalition that's not too favorable inclined towards Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu is gradually day by day gaining more and more access to power and influence.