The Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) on Wednesday elected Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State as its new chairman for a term of two years.

Fayemi was chosen at a gathering of the 36 governors at the forum’s headquarters in Maitama District, Abuja on Wednesday night following his nomination by his Kaduna State counterpart, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai.

Although El-Rufai was believed to be a top contender for the position, Fayemi became the favourite hours ahead of the meeting as governors from the South expressed their support for a rotational chairmanship of the forum.

According to a statement issued by the Forum, which is a congregation of all of the country’s 36 governors towards a common front, Mr. Fayemi was unanimously elected to succeed Governor Abdulaziz Yari of Zamfara State who has already served two terms.

Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State was also elected as the Forum’s Vice-Chairman. Their tenure will expire in 2021 but they can seek re-election for another two years.