NGF: The burden of democracy without democrats

Editor: Many of our compatriots have expressed shock and disgust at the blatant rejection of the result of the last Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) Chairmanship Election by the open losers in that election, Governor Jang, his supporters and sponsors. I am not surprised at all by the behaviour or misbehaviour of Mr. Jang and his friends. I will expatiate later. First, to be sure, in all democratic settings it is sacrilegious to question the procedure of an election in which one took part after the result of the election, particularly when the procedure is not known to have violated the constitution of the association or of any known democratic norm. It is therefore extremely childish, and irrationally so, that some people who claim to be governors can openly identify with the irrational rejection of the result of the NGF election. I believe no word can be too harsh to deprecate the unbecoming conduct of those governors who rejected the result of the election. I am only personally embarrassed that the governor of my own state, Dr. Mimiko has been reported to be part of the nonsense.

The NGF is nothing but an avenue for unnecessary waste of public funds. I have no problem with governors forming a social club; but by all means let them not fund their ‘extracurricular’ social activities with our resources. As it stands today, the Governors attend the NGF meetings with funds belonging to the states. This is unacceptable. The fact that such a social club exists in rich America is not a reason we must spend our lean resources facilitating club activities for our governors. The NGF is a reflection of the frivolous predilection of the ruling elite. It is not different from such clubs as Police Officers’ Wives Association (POWA), Naval Officers’ Wives Association (NAOWA) and Civil Servants’ Wives Associations and similar idle organisations.

I would be glad to no end if the undemocratic rejection of the result of its chairmanship election terminates the NGF, as we know it. Even, if it does not, we, as a people have the duty to ensure that we kill the NGF. I do not know any progressive purpose it serves. Indeed I can point to its reactionary politics and policies. Was it not the same NGF that supported or even incited President Jonathan to remove the mythical subsidies on the prices of petroleum product? So, let all the fora die, that is, let PDPGF, NGF and all GFs die. It is in the interest of our democracy that they die.  

Bamidele Aturu,

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