he Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) said the Federal Government has agreed to halt further deductions from State Governments’ accounts “to meet Local Government Councils London/Paris Club obligations.”

The NGF Chairman, Governor Aminu Tambuwal disclosed this while briefing members at the forum’s meeting held on Tuesday.

He said the Finance Minister also promised to ensure the refund of what had been deducted before now.

According to the communique, the meeting also effected changes in the forum’s leadership with the Kwara State Governor, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq emerging as the new Chairman, with Oyo State’s Governor Seyi Makinde as Vice Chairman.

The communique reads: “Members were briefed by the Chairman of the forum that the Hon. Minister of Finance has granted the request of the forum to immediately stop further deductions from the accounts of States to meet Local Government Councils London Paris Club obligations and the monies so far deducted be paid back to the States.

“On the leadership of the forum, the Governor of Kwara State, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, emerged the new Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum through a consensus, and the Governor of Oyo State Seyi Makinde is now the Vice-Chairman.

“Members expressed satisfaction with the success of the just concluded Induction for new and returning Governors that took place between 14 and 19 of May, 2023. Members committed to sustained collaboration among the states through enhanced peer review, learning at the sub-national level and deepening the relationship with the Federal Government and other institutions.”

The issue of Paris Club obligations and deductions have been a major cause of dispute between the Fed Govt and state governments in recent time.