Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike has criticized the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) for not standing up for embattled Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki.
According to Wike who spoke at a media parley held at Government House in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, the NGF had become a toothless bulldog as it has lost focus on its role in defending the rule of law.
He alleged that the forum is presently a shadow of its self, having been a non-partisan and a powerful voice on national issues.
He noted that since the All Progressives Congress (APC) took over the NGF in 2015, governors have been turned to beggars.
He said: “Before 2015, the Nigeria Governors’ Forum used to be very powerful as symbols of their respective states but APC killed it because they were protecting the interest of the ruling party.
“It is quite unfortunate that I belong to such a forum. Nobody seems to respect the Governors Forum again because we have given ourselves out.
The governor also faulted Obaseki’s disqualification following the Edo governor’s falling out with the APC National Chairman Adams Oshiomhole.
“Oshiomole campaigned for Governor Obaseki four years ago. The same man has turned around to say that Obaseki has a defective certificate.
“Obaseki was presented by the APC National Chairman when he (Oshiomhole) was governor. I was watching a video where Oshiomhole described him as a product of Nigeria’s premier university, who went to the U.S. and came back with a Masters degree.
“Has Oshiomole apologised to Nigerians that he supported someone with a defective certificate? Who is saying that a sitting governor has a defective certificate? Is it a man that does not have a certificate?
On Obaseki’s planned defection to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Wike said he would be happy to receive him.
He, however, said that he would not guarantee an automatic ticket for him because Edo people would decide.
Besides, he said Obaseki did not indicate that he wanted to join PDP.
