Southern governors said Nigeria’s next president should emerge from the south.
Gatekeepers News reports that Southern governors of Nigeria, on Monday, jointly agreed that the Nation’s next president must emerge from the region.
The Southern Governors Forum disclosed this in a communique issued by its Chairman, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu after a closed door meeting on Monday in Lagos.
Akeredolu noted that the Governors 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.
According to him, the Forum reviewed the security situation in the country and commended 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 Governors while re-emphasising 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.
Akeredolu in the communique noted that “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.”
They also agreed to 21 September 2021, as the deadline for the promulgation of anti-open grazing law among its member states.
The Southern Governors, therefore, 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.
Akeredolu noted that the Forum commended the National Assembly for the progress made in the passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB).
As regards the PIB, the Forum rejected the proposed 3% and supported the 5% share of the oil revenue to the host community as recommended by the House of Representatives.
The forum also rejected the proposed 30% share of profit for the exploration of oil and gas in the basins, and the ownership structure of the proposed Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC).
According to the Chairman, “the Forum disagrees 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 on the electoral process of the country said, “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.”
Akeredolu finally disclosed that “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.”
