By Mathew Dadiya, Abuja

President Bola Tinubu, Thursday congratulated the two governors who emerged as leaders of the Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF) and Progressive Governors Forum (PGF).

The President’s felicitation was contained in a statement from the State House signed by Abdulaziz Abdulaziz at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

“I congratulate the Governor of Kwara State, His Excellency Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, on his emergence as the Chairman of the Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF), and the Governor of Imo State, His Excellency Hope Uzodinma, on his election as the Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF).

“In the same vein, I also congratulate His Excellency Seyi Makinde, the Governor of Oyo State, and his Kaduna State counterpart, His Excellency Senator Uba Sani, on their elections as deputy chairmen for the two respective forums,” he said.

“Being called upon by their peers to lead them is a testament to the trust and confidence reposed in them by the governors,” President Tinubu added.

The President tasked the new leaders to use their tenures to advance the peace, unity and socioeconomic development of the country and join hands with his administration to engender the Renewed Hope agenda.

“As chief executives of states, governors are critical to the overall success of our administration and the desire for a Nigeria that works for all.

“As an important fulcrum in our journey to a more prosperous and safe country, what states do or do not do matter a lot. I am therefore obliged to ask the new leaders to use their good offices to bring about a convergence of vision between the Federal Government, under my leadership, and governments at the state level.

“It is my prayer that you acquit yourselves diligently in discharging the responsibilities bestowed on you through this election,” President Tinubu added.

Sen. Abdullahi Adamu, the APC National Chairman has charged governors elected on the party’s platform to adhere to its manifesto.

He gave the charge on Wednesday in Abuja, when the party’s governors under the agies of Progressive Governors Forum (PGF) met with the National Working Committee (NWC).

“For us, anything that we will want to say to you is adherence to the manifesto as much as you can.

“We have a general framework for the governance of the country and you represent those who fly the party’s flag.

“It is expected that whatever you do, you will have in mind the manifesto that the party gave the country, as Chief Executive Officers of states, you must key into this manifesto.

“But there are peculiarities, there are priorities you must have set and you are bound to do as much as you can to meet the expectations of those who voted for us,”Adamu said.

He said the party and the country generally were in a very difficult moment, adding that the governors had visited at a very difficult period with regards to the lifting of the fuel subsidy.

Adamu said the period would be very challenging, particularly to the governors because they were where it matters most.

“From national politics, you are the shock absorbers in the various states of the federation, you live with the people, you wake up with them and you work with them.

“The expectation is that you could have a better appreciation of their pains as citizens of this country. So, a lot of expectations will be on you as governors of the Federating units of this great country,” Adamu said.

He assured that the party’s leadership would continue to give the governors the needed cooperation.

“If you have any problem, turn to us and we will give you the best advice as we can, but whatever we do with you, you are the one wearing the shoes and know where it pinches,” Adamu said.

Speaking to newsmen at the end of the meeting, Gov. Hope Uzordimma of Imo said the governors were committed to the party’s idea and manifesto and the Federal Government under it.

He noted that everything contained in the party’s manifesto during its campaigns were meant to be done and carried out.

On the removal of fuel subsidy as announced by President Bola Tinubu in his inauguration speech, all presidential candidates during the campaigns committed to remove fuel subsidy.

“The immediate past President, Muhammadu Buhari before he left, made us to know that fuel subsidy is no longer sustainable.What we are talking about now is the implementation process,” he said.

He assured that the incumbent government of President Bola Tinubu was working out ways to implement the fuel subsidy removal to cushion the effect on the people.

“I have confidence in the ability of current president to navigate through the waters and take decisions that will be in the best interest of our people and the country as a nation.

On the leadership of the incoming 10th National Assembly, Uzodimma said Tinubu had not made proclamation for its leadership to be inaugurated.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Uzodimma had earlier emerged as the PGF chairman via consensus.

Some of the governors at the meeting were Gov. Yahaya Bello of Kogi, Abduallahi Sule of Nasarawa State, Mohammed Bago of Niger and Gov. Uba Sani of Kaduna State.

Gov. Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe, Nasir Idris of Kebbi and Gov. Dapo Abiodum of Ogun was also at the meeting among others(NAN)

Gov. Hope Uzodinma of Imo has emerged the new Chairman of the Progressives Governors Forum (PGF) for the next four years.

He succeeds outgone Gov. Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna.

Uzodinma emerged at a joint meeting of immediate past governors, reelected governors and newly-elected governors held on Wednesday in Abuja, according to former Gov.

El-Rufai, the immediate past Chairman of the PGF.

The PGF is an organization which comprises Governors elected under the All Progressives Congress (APC), which serves as a platform for collaboration, policy development, and sharing of experiences among its members.

El-Rufai said new Gov. Uba Sani of Kaduna State, emerged as Vice Chairman, while Dr.

Abdulkadir Mayere, former Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, had been appointed as the Director-General of the PGF.

The tenure of the new leadership, according to El-rufai, takes off immediately. (NAN)