THE Southern Governors Forum, today, fromally demanded that the Southern region of Nigeria should produce the next president of the country for fairness and equity.
This was the agreement reached by Governors after its meeting in Lagos.
They also asked all the southern states to by September 1, 2021 promulgate an anti-open grazing law.
Chairman of the Forum, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu SAN, who read the communique on behalf of his colleagues, said the forum reiterated its commitment to the politics of equity and fairness.
According to Akeredolu, who is also Ondo State governor, the forum at the meeting reviewed the situation in the country and focused on the current security situation, constitutional amendment and Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB).
Southern Governors Forum 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.
Akeredolu said the governors reiterated its commitment to the politics of equity, fairness and unanimously agreed that the presidency of Nigeria be rotated between Southern and Northern Nigeria, resolvinb that the next president of Nigeria should emerge from the Southern Region.
On the issue of 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.
The forum re-emphasised the need for State Police resolving 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;
According to him, the forum frowned at selective criminal administration of Justice and resolved that arrests should be made within the ambit of the law and fundamental human rights.
The governors further resolved that funds deducted from the federation account for the Nigeria Police Security Trust Fund should be distributed among the states and Federal Government to combat security challenges.
On the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) recently passed by the Senate and the House of Representatives, the governors commended the National Assembly for the progress made in the passage of the PIB, but rejected the proposed 3 per cent and support the 5 per cent share of the oil revenue to the host community as recommended by the House of Representatives.
The forum also rejected the proposed 30 percent share of profit for the exploration of oil and gas in the basins.
The ownership structure of the proposed Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) was also rejected as the forum disagreed that the company be vested in the Federal Ministry of Finance but held in trust by Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) since all tiers of government have stakes in that vehicle.
“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 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.”
Some of the governors present at the meeting were Ifeayin Okowa of Delta State; Nyensom Wike of Rivers State; Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State; Dapo ABIODUN of Ogun State; the host, Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Gboyega Oyetola of Osun State; Emmanuel Udom of Akwa Ibom; Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State; Douye Diri of Bayelsa; Seyi Makinde of Oyo State and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu.
The deputy governors that represented their governors were Philip Shuaibu of Edo State; Placid Njokwu of Imo State; Oko Chukwu of Abia State and Kelechi Igwe of Ebonyi State.
Two governors were neither present not sent in a representative. They are that of Anambra and Cross River states.
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