By The governors of the 17 Southern states, on Monday, met at Lagos House, Ikeja, to discuss burning national issues with focus on “the current security situation, constitutional amendment, Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB).”
In a communique issued at the conclusion of the meeting by Ondo State governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, its chairman, the Southern Governors’ Forum came up with a number of resolutions.
Below are the major highlights of the communique.
1. Presidency should be zoned to the South in 2023
According to the communique, the governors, reiterating their “commitment to politics of equity, fairness”, unanimously agreed that “the next president of Nigeria should emerge from the Southern Region.”
This position echoes the clamours for zoning — an unwritten agreement that the presidency be rotated between the South and the North.
2. State police is still needed
Speaking on the rising spate of insecurity in the country, the governors again stressed the need for state police.
However, they 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 forum also resolved that if for any reason security institutions need to undertake an operation in any State, the Chief Security Officer of the State — the governor — must be duly informed.
3. On open grazing
The governors said they have resolved to set a timeline of Wednesday, 1st September, 2021 “for the promulgation of the anti open grazing law in all member states.”
Recall the governors had, in an earlier meeting, announced plans to ban open grazing in Southern Nigeria, a move that the presidency frowned at.
4. Rejection of 3% share of oil revenue to host community in PIB
Though they commend the National Assembly for the progress made in the passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), the governors rejected the proposed 3 percent share of the oil revenue to the host community, adding that they support 5 percent as recommended by the House of Representatives.
The Forum, like a number of Nigerians who had criticised the bill, rejected proposed 30 percent Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) profit for the exploration of oil and gas in the basins.
5. Election results must be transmitted electronically
The governors expressed their displeasure with the removal of the electronic transmission of the election result from the Electoral Act by the National Assembly.
They said their rejection of this decision was “in order to consolidate our democracy and strengthen the electoral process.”
