The quartet of governors of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP): Rabiu Kwankwaso (Kano), Sule Lamido (Jigawa), Aliyu Wammako (Sokoto) and Mu’azu Babangida (Niger) received a rare commendation from former military president, General Ibrahim Babangida on Monday when he described them as patriots.
General Babangida gave the commendation shortly after meeting with the governors together with former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar in a bid to find a solution to end the lingering political crisis within Rivers State and the Nigeria Governors’ Forum.
For initiating peace moves to end the crisis of confidence between Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, and some of the state’s House of Assembly members, the Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF) and the nation in general, Babangida described the four Governors as “true patriots.”
Babangida told journalists shortly after meeting with the Governors at the Presidential Lodge in Niger State capital that developments in Nigeria today call for the concern of all well-meaning Nigerians.
Flanked by Abubakar, Wamakko, Kwankwaso, Lamido and Aliyu, Babangida said their decision to consult with stakeholders in the Nigerian project is “a step in the right direction.”
“I want to commend the Governors here; like some of their colleagues, I was very impressed because they see the problems of this country and they are taking the right step.
“Their decision to consult widely with some elders in order to find amicable solutions to some of the lingering problems in Nigeria, like the political impasse in Rivers State and the Nigerian Governors Forum crisis is a worthwhile idea,” he said.
At the meeting where the Adamawa State Governor, Murtala Nyako, who was in Rivers State last week with the team, was absent, Babangida told newsmen: “By consulting widely and trying to find solution to some of the leading problems, they are patriots and I am very proud of them.”
Aliyu who led the four northern Governors on a solidarity visit to Governor Rotimi Amaechi in Port Harcourt last week had earlier said they were consulting with elders and leaders across Nigeria to look at the crisis and seek ways of finding lasting solution to some of the problems.
The Governor explained that their decision to meet with prominent Nigerian elders and leaders was aimed at finding solution to the Governors Forum leadership crisis, the crisis rocking Rivers State and generally, the political situation in Nigeria.
Aliyu told the journalists: “We are consulting our elders and leaders to find solutions to Governors Forum crisis, the Rivers problems, to make sure that we all understand the truth and carry our people as we go along.”
On why Murtala Nyako who has been part of the peace team was absent, Aliyu explained that the Adamawa Governor had sent his apologies because he was on an official engagement to the Republic of Cameroun.
Babangida and Abdulsalami who came in a cream S-class Mercedes Benz car at about 12.20 p.m. to the venue Government House, Minna venue of the meeting, which was beefed up with security for the meeting that lasted one hour, 45 minutes.
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