Southern governors, on Monday, met in Lagos and unanimously agreed on rotational presidency between the South and North, and resolved that the next president of the country should emerge from the Southern Region, come 2023.
The governors made this clear demand as part of their 6-point communique read at the end of their meeting by the Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN), who is also Chairman of, Southern Governors’ Forum.
The governors, while making the call re-affirmed their commitment to the unity of Nigeria on the pillars of equity, fairness, justice, progress and peaceful co-existence between and amongst its people, even as they insisted on the establishment of the State Police to address the security challenges facing the country, while they rejected the removal from the Electoral Act of the clause that mandated transmission of election results electronically.
Besides, the forum also kicked against the confirmation of exclusive jurisdiction in pre-election matters on the Federal High Court, saying its position was based on the need to consolidate the nation’s democracy and strengthen the electoral process.
The governors, who deliberated on issues, including the current security situation in the country, constitutional amendment and Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), at a meeting, which took place at the State House, Alausa, Ikeja, besides re-emphasising the need for State Police, appeared to voice their position on the recent attack carried out by men of the Directorate of State Police (DSS) on the Ibadan residence of Yoruba activist, Mr Sunday Adeyemo, popularly called Sunday Igboho.
The Forum frowned at what they described as selective criminal administration of justice and resolved that arrests should be made within the ambit of the Law and fundamental human rights, positing that it was imperative for security institutions in the country to duly inform the governor, who is the Chief Security Officer, in case they wanted to undertake an operation in any state of the Federation.
“The Southern Governors Forum at the end of the meeting held on Monday, July 5, 2021, reviewed the situation in the country and focused on the current security situation, constitutional amendment, Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB).
“Rising from the meeting, the Forum agreed on the following: Re-affirmed their commitment to the unity of Nigeria on the pillars of equity, fairness, justice, progress and peaceful co-existence between and amongst its people.
“The Forum reiterates its commitment to the politics of equity, fairness and unanimously agrees that the presidency of Nigeria be rotated between Southern and Northern Nigeria and resolved that the next president of Nigeria should emerge from the Southern Region.
“Security: The Forum reviewed the security situation in the country and commends security operatives for their relentless efforts in restoring security and safety and commiserates with families and loved ones of those who have fallen in the line of duty; Re-emphasised the need for State Police; Resolved that if for any reason security institutions need to undertake an operation in any State, the Chief Security Officer of the State must be duly informed;
“The forum frowns at selective criminal administration of Justice and resolved that arrests should be made within the ambit of the Law and fundamental human rights,” the communique stated.
“In order to consolidate our democracy and strengthen the Electoral process, the Southern Governors’ Forum reject the removal of the Electronic transmission of the election result from the electoral act; and also rejects the confirmation of exclusive jurisdiction in pre-election matters on the Federal High Court,” the communique added.
On Anti- Grazing, the governors, in the communique, announced a timeline of Wednesday, September 1, 2021 for the promulgation of the law in its respect, in all member states.
It would be recalled that the Forum had in its meeting last May in Asaba, the Delta State capital, placed a total ban on Open Grazing in all the 17 states making the zone.
The Southern governor, who deliberated on the Nigeria Police Security Trust Fund resolved that funds deducted from the Federation Account (FA) for the Trust Fund “should be distributed among the states and Federal Government to combat security challenges.”
On the recently passed Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), the Forum commended the National Assembly for the progress made in its passage, but rejected the proposed 3per cent, saying it rather supported the 5 per cent share of the oil revenue to the host community as recommended by the House of Representatives.
It also rejected the ownership structure of the proposed Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC), saying it was against a move that “the company be vested in the Federal Ministry of Finance but should be held in trust by Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) since all tiers of government have stakes in that vehicle.”
The Forum, while unanimously announcing Lagos State as its permanent secretariat, commended Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for the wonderful hosting of the meeting and also appreciated him for his good work in the state.
“The Forum unanimously chose Lagos State as its permanent secretariat and appreciated the governor of Lagos State for the wonderful hosting of this meeting while commending him for his good work in the state,” the communique said.
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