Bishop Mathew Kukah, Bishop of Sokoto Catholic Diocese, has called on the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) to ensure the forum’s unity.
Kukah, who was a guest speaker at the 2nd NGF retreat holding in Sokoto, made the call on Saturday, saying it was imperative for the forum to remain united.
“I would be failing in my responsibilities as a Priest if I do not say this. Your duties and responsibilities as governors is to give us the confidence that we need.
“To me, you are 36 governors in this country and you must find a way to making sure that all of you meet in one building.
“No matter what it takes, you have to have that programme otherwise democracy is in danger, the future is in danger and you will all be held accountable,’’ Kukah told Amaechi.
He assured the governors of his prayers and support but urged them to be up to their responsibilities and give Nigerians a reason to love politics and politicians.
Also speaking at the retreat, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, former EFCC boss, said that the actions or otherwise of the governors and those in leadership affected the way the common man sees democracy.
The former EFCC boss who spoke on the role of States in Deepening Democracy and Federalism in the country, said governors had to sit up and take their responsibilities seriously in order to deepen the country`s democracy.
He stressed that corruption should also be avoided by governors if they must make genuine progress.
Ribadu maintained that good governance did not come by magic but through strong willed political leaders whom were selfless, sincere, committed and cosmopolitan.
Gov. Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti, said that the syndrome of “godfatherism’’ in Nigerian politics was the bane of the country`s democracy.
He also said that security, judiciary, INEC, the military and money were the tin gods in Nigerian politics that should be fought by politicians and those in government.
This, he said, would ensure that the people became responsible for putting governors in office.