The Governors of the Southern States in the country, on Monday, jointly agreed that their region would produce Nigeria’s next President.
The Southern governors made the announcement after a closed-door meeting in Lagos held to discuss issues concerning the state of the nation.
While addressing journalists after the meeting, the Chairman of the Southern Governors Forum, Rotimi Akeredolu, said the resolution was made after much deliberation on the happenings across the country presently.
The meeting which is being hosted by Lagos Governor Bababjide Sanwo-Olu had in attendance Governor Seyi Makinde (Oyo); Dapo Abiodun (Ogun); Gboyega Oyetola (Osun); Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti) and Nyesom Wike (Rivers). Others are Duoye Diri (Bayelsa); Emeka Ugwuanyi (Enugu); Rotimi Akeredolu (Ondo); Ifeanyi Okowa (Delta); Udom Emmanuel (Akwa Ibom).
Also, Deputy Governors Philip Shaibu (Edo), Ude Chukwu (Abia), Placid Njoku (Imo), and Kelechi Igwe (Ebonyi) represented their state governors.
This is coming after the Governors met in May to take the unanimous decision to ban open grazing in the region.
They also set September 21, 2021, as the deadline for the promulgation of anti-open grazing law among its member states.
Part of the communique issued after the meeting read, “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; set a timeline of Wednesday, 1st September, 2021 for the promulgation of the anti open grazing law in all member States; and 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.”