NIGERIA GOVERNOR'S FORUM (NGF) AS A POWER BROKER: A CRITICAL DEFRAGMENTATION OF THE RISING POWER OF STATE GOVERNORS IN NIGERIAN POLITICS

Abstract

The Nigeria Governor’s Forum  is a collective body representing all state governors in Nigeria, bringing together all the state governors in the country, with a mission to provide  a forum for Executive Governors to collaborate on public policy issues, fostering good governance, the exchange of successful strategies, and improved coordination among states and various branches of government and society. Over time, the NGF has gained prominence and has become an influential body in Nigerian politics. This  study intends to critically analyze the Nigerian Governor's Forum (NGF) as a potent power broker, understand  the extent of power wielded by state governors through the NGF, and analyses how they have been able to leverage on state recourses to stay powerful which is a typical trait found in a clientelist and rentier state  with a prebendalist tendencies. The study also seeks to explore how state governors leverage their collective strength within the forum to shape policy decisions, influence national politics, and negotiate with the federal government. The study adopts Desk research method and  in-depth analysis, of relevant materials to Deconstruct  the proverbial  and  mystic burgeoning power of governors within the Nigerian politics in order to gain a deeper understanding of the dynamics of their over bearing influence on the political space and unravel the level of involvement in shaping the course of democracy in Nigeria. This research found out a compelling narrative of how state governors, united under the NGF, have become pivotal arbiters in Nigeria's politics. This study unveils the intricate tapestry of Nigerian politics, where the NGF stands as a central thread reshaping the nation's political future.