By Henry Umoru & Paul Odenyi
ABUJA— Following the spate of bombing and killing by Islamic sect, Boko Haram which has caused so much havoc in the country, governors of the nineteen Northern states yesterday rose from a five-hour meeting in Abuja with a resolve to disband all militant groups in their various states which were formed and used for political purposes.

A self-confessed co-founder of Boko Haram, Mallam Aliyu Tishau, had said on Wednesday in an interview with African Independent Television (AIT) that politicians were responsible for the emergence of Boko Haram as many governors in the north sponsored groups of armed youths, some of which later developed into militancy.

The meeting which was attended by 15 of the 19 governors agreed that state governors from the North should disband security organizations that were hitherto set up for political reasons.

Governor Muazu Babangida Aliyu of Niger state, who presided over the meeting said the governors took decisions on the security situation in Borno and Plateau states and ways of restructuring northern-based institutions such as the Northern Nigerian Development company, the New Nigerian Newspaper and the Northern Governors Forum itself.

Left: Governors Jonah Jang of Plateau; Umaru Al-makura of Nassarawa; Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara; and Aliyu Wamakko of Sokoto, at the Northern Governors' Forum in Abuja on Wednesday (21/9/11). NAN

According to him, “the governors have resolved to dismantle all militia groups used during the last election against the backdrop that the use of threat and thuggery was no longer fashionable and in vogue. You will understand that the formation of either ECOMOG or whatever was part of the political process started with many people using force and thuggery which every governor now is getting rid off because the time for thuggery is gone. And that is why we told you that after hearing the report of Borno and Bauchi and the Plateau, we are encouraged with the effort that has started now.

“No governor in his mind will want to use threat because using threat like they said, you ride on a Hyena, you may end up in the belly of the Hyena. The same threat may end up being used against you, so we have resolved that no governor will use either Kamari or thugs.”

On the issue of insecurity especially as being executed by the Boko Haram sect and killings in Plateau State, the governors also resolved to go back to their various communities and engage widely on how to nip the crisis in the bud. They also stressed the need for all the governors from the North to join hands with the governor of Plateau state, Jonah Jang in addressing the problem because what is happening presently in Plateau State was a national tragedy.

According to the Niger State governor, “we have looked at the agenda, we looked at the insecurity challenges, particularly in the north and generally in Nigeria and we have agreed to go back to our communities and ensure that all those who have responsibility should consult and engage properly.

“On the issue of Borno, we were very happy with the progress made so far in that state and we encourage the governor of Borno State to continue with what he has started. With regard to the issue of Plateau, we discovered and we know that the issue of Plateau is not only a Plateau problem, it is a national problem, but all of us particularly governors in the north will make the necessary contact and will continue to support the governor to ensure that peace is entrenched, established and protected on the Plateau.”

In what appears to be close to dumping the implementation of the N18,000 Minimum Wage for workers, the Northern Governors’ Forum said they cannot be stampeded to pay the money.

Dr. Muazu Babangida Aliyu disclosed that the constitution of the country only stipulates the issue of minimum wage and not increase, noting that the governors would implement the payment of the minimum wage when the economy improves.

According to him: “We also took reports on the minimum wage, each state is doing beautifully well in trying to implement. We must not buckle unnecessarily under the pressure to go and do what will not be sustainable. So we agreed to stick to what the law has said and when the economy improves like in every term, workers’ welfare too will improve.

Speaking on the Federation Accounts Allocation Committee, FAAC, Governor Babangida Aliyu said, “you may remember that some of the FAAC meetings stagnated or stopped. We are still speaking to our governors, all the illegal deductions that have been made so far will have to be refunded and we are appealing to everybody to ensure that the revenue allocation formula is addressed properly.”

According to him, the position of the Northern governors on the federation account is in line with the decision of governors of the whole country regarding the withdrawal of monies by organizations such as the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and the Petroleum Pricing and Product Regulation Agency (PPPRA).

Indeed, the Minister of State for Finance, Yerima-Ngama Lawan has said an agreement for a 32 month installmental deduction has been reached with the NNPC for the estimated N450 billion illegal deduction.

Governor Aliyu, however, said that deduction made in respect of the Sovereign Wealth Fund is not categorized as illegal because it is established by law.

In his words” we stuck to our position that the illegal deduction must be refunded. Some of the agencies involved included NNPC, PPPRA. These agencies went beyond their budgets and we are insisting that unless it is refunded, we will continue to press for it.”

Also speaking on the former Premier of Northern Nigeria Foundation which was discussed, the Niger State governor who disclosed that the Sir Ahmadu Bello Foundation has in its coffers N2 billion, said, ‘’We have looked at the report on the Sir Ahmadu Bello Foundation, and we have some delight that the money so far in that account has reached N2 billion, we are redeeming the pledges that have been made and we are appealing to all of us to make sure that we redeem these pledges within the next three months.”

The meeting held amidst tight security mounted by men of the abuja police command. Access to the Niger Lodge venue of the meeting was restricted to only identified journalists and residents of the three streets adjoining the building. Inside the building, plain clothes security men kept an eye on everybody including aides to the governors attending the meeting.

The meeting was moved to Abuja according to the Press Secretary to the Nigeria state governor, Malam Danladi Ndayebo for security reasons. The meeting of the NGF usually takes place in Kaduna.

Present at the meeting were seventeen governors out of the nineteen Northern governors. They were governors of Niger, Kaduna, Taraba, Borno; Yobe, Nasarawa, Zamfara; Kano; Sokoto, Jigawa, Kebbi, Adamawa, Kwara, Gombe and Plateau. Also present were Deputy-governors of Bauchi and Katsina. The governors of Kogi and Benue states were absent at the meeting while that of Bauchi sent in his deputy.