Nigeria News

South-South governor leaders fume as FG boycott meeting with region

November 17, 2020

From left; River State Governor, Barr. Nyesom Wike (left); Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, of Delta Stateand Chairman, South-South Governors, (middle) and Udom Emmanuel of Akwa-Ibom State and Senator Ben Ayade of Cross River State, during the South-South Stakeholders Meeting, held in Government House, Port Harcourt. Tuesday 17/11/20. Picture: JIBUNOR SAMUEL.

By Davies Iheamnachor

The Governors, Chiefs, and other stakeholders in the South-South Geo-political zone have expressed regrets over the failure of the Federal Government to attend a planned meeting with leaders of the region.

This was just as Governors and leaders of the region have demanded an unreserved apology from the presidency for abruptly aborting the planned crucial stakeholders meeting scheduled to hold in Port Harcourt, yesterday.

The presidency had scheduled a meeting for Tuesday with the Governors and other leaders of the oil-rich region to discuss burning national issues affecting the region and the aftermath effects of the EndSARS protest.

READ ALSO:#EndSARS: Help me, my abducted 3-year- old son sold for N8m, woman begs Abuja panel

However, the FG’s delegation was supposed to include all the Ministers from the geopolitical zone and other persons, to be led by the Chief of Staff to the President, Agboola Ibrahim Gambari

But, the stakeholders from the regions and their governors who were seated at the venue of the meeting, Banquet Hall of the Government House, Port Harcourt, till 3:00 pm, when the news filtered in that the delegation from the presidency would not make it.

back link building services=0></a></div><p>The development, which caused anger and uproar was described by thee leaders as another show of neglect.</p><p>Speaking to the South-South leaders at the hall amidst the panic, the Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, expressed sadness that the meeting was called off, noting that the meeting called at the instance of the presidency, through the office of the Chief of Staff to the President, Gambari.</p><p>Okowa explained that the meeting time was earlier adjusted twice from 11 am to 1 pm on the same day on the excuse that the President Mohammed Buhari was meeting with the Director of Department of State Services (DSS) and the Inspector General of Police, who was supposed to be part of the presidential delegation for the meeting.</p><p>Governor Okowa, who is also the chairman of South-South Governors Forum, said he later got a call from the Chief of Staff to the President on Tuesday afternoon, announcing the eventual cancelation of the meeting. According to him, he felt disappointed that the region could be treated in such disdain.</p><p>Okowa said the people of the region have been embarrassed, disgraced, and disrespected, stating that the South-South geopolitical zone was a very important part of the nation and the governors feel insulted because of the traditional rulers who had gathered for the meeting, deserved to be revered.</p><div class='code-block code-block-5' style='margin: 8px 0; clear: both;'> <a href=https://www.adhang.com/guest-posting-services/ ><img class=lazy src=

Naira appreciates to N1,580/$ in parallel market

Naira appreciates to N1,580/$ in parallel market

Police arrest suspected A’Ibom baby factory operator, rescue pregnant women, infants

Police arrest suspected A’Ibom baby factory operator, rescue pregnant women, infants

Visa rejection rates hits high in Canada as 2.36 million applications denied

Visa rejection rates hits high in Canada as 2.36 million applications denied