Governors elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party are among six governors who are scheduled to leave Nigeria today to visit President Muhammadu Buhari in London, The PUNCH learnt in Abuja on Monday night.
It was gathered that the visit was being organised by the office of the National Security Adviser, Major General Babagana Munguno (retd.).
It was not clear if the NSA was responsible for the governors who were picked for the trip.
Our correspondent learnt that the six governors were picked from the six geo-political zones of the country.
Listed among the six governors are Udom Emmanuel (Akwa Ibom), Dave Umahi (Ebonyi), Abdulaziz Yari (Zamfara), and Abiola Ajimobi (Oyo).
The four governors are from the South-South, South-East, North-West and South-West respectively.
Our correspondent could not verify the identities of the two other governors, who are expected to come from the North-East and North-Central.
A governor, who is not among those travelling to see Buhari, said those chosen for the journey were picked outside what he described as the Nigeria Governors’ Forum.
He added that he was surprised when he heard about the journey from one of his counterparts, stating that if the secretariat and the governors had been contacted, the governors would have picked at least one of the PDP governors that had been critical of the President.
He said, “Our colleagues are going to London to see the President. But I’m not happy that someone like the Governor of Ekiti State, Mr. Ayodele Fayose, or his Rivers State counterpart, Mr. Nyesom Wike, is not on the delegation.
“Though there are PDP governors on the delegation, we know ourselves and also know those we know are truly part of the opposition and those close to the ruling All Progressives Congress.
“The governors had been directed to be at the Presidential Wing of the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja, tomorrow (Tuesday). From there, they will fly to the United Kingdom.”
The governors are expected to have lunch with the President before returning to the country on Wednesday.
A governor, who spoke on condition of anonymity with The PUNCH on Monday night, confirmed that some governors mooted the idea, but said he would not want to speak on the planned visit.
“Yes, they mentioned it (visit); some APC governors mooted the idea but I don’t want to say anything on that for now,” the governor stated.
