JUST IN: Fayemi emerges new chairman of Nigeria Governors Forum

The Nigeria Governors Forum on Wednesday elected Kayode Fayemi as its new chairman for a term of two years.

Premium Times  reports that the Ekiti State governor was chosen at a gathering of the 36 governors in Abuja Wednesday night, following his nomination by Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State. Some governors, including Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State, were not in attendance, but they were said to have sent representatives.

Mr El-Rufai was believed to be a contender for the top position in the forum, which is a congregation of all the country’s 36 governors towards a common front.

But hours ahead of the meeting, Mr Fayemi rocketed into the lead for the influential position, with governors from the south expressing sentiments about a rotational chairmanship of the forum. Mr Fayemi was unanimously elected, according to a statement from the forum.

Mr Fayemi succeeded Governor Abdulaziz Yari of Zamfara State, who served two terms over the past four years. Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto was also elected as vice-chairman to Mr Fayemi during the meeting at the forum’s headquarters in Maitama District. Their tenure will expire in 2021, but they can seek a re-election for another two years.