Next President Of Nigeria Should Emerge From The South’ — Southern Governors Forum

Governors of Southern States of Nigeria, under the aegis of Southern Governors Forum (SGF) have demanded that the next president of Nigeria should emerge from the South.

The demand is part of the 6 point communique of the Forum that met at the Lagos State Government House on Monday.

The SGF met to review the prevailing security situations in Nigeria, the constitutional amendment and the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB).

Reading the communiqué after the closed door meeting to journalists,  the Governor of Ondo State and Chairman of the Forum, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN), said their demand was articulated in tune with the principle of equity and fairness.

“The Forum reiterates its commitment to the politics of equity, fairness and unanimously agreed that the presidency of Nigeria be rotated between southern  and northern Nigeria and resolved that the next President of Nigeria should emerge from the south.”

The forum set Wednesday, 1st September, 2021 as timeline for the promulgation of the anti open grazing law in all Southern States of Nigeria.

SGF also rejected the removal of the Electronic transmission of the election result from the electoral act because it will frustrate the consolidation of the nation’s democracy and by extension strengthen the Electoral process.

Also,  the rejection extended to the  declared confirmation of an exclusive jurisdiction in pre-election matters on the Federal High Court.

The Forum restated its stance in support of state police, while also commending security operatives for their relentless efforts in restoring security and safety across the country.

According to the communique, the governors commiserate with families and loved ones of security operatives who have fallen in the line of duty.

“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.

“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.”

Governor Akeredolu, also read that the Forum commended the National Assembly for the progress made in the passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) law.

The Forum, however, rejected the proposed 3% and endorsed the 5% share of the oil revenue, as recommended by the House of Representatives, that should be given to the host community.

“The forum also rejects the proposed 30% share of profit for the exploration of oil and gas in the basins;

The communique, according to the forum’s Chairman, also rejected the ownership structure of the proposed Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC).

It disagreed with the position that such power over the company be vested in the Federal Ministry of Finance.

The Southern Governors also agreed that the company should rather be held in trust by Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) since all tiers of Government have stakes in that vehicle.

Present at the meeting were the  Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, Governor of Delta State, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa,  Chief Udom Emmanuel, the Governor of Akwa Ibom State and Governor of Osun State, Isiaka Adegboyega Oyetola.

Others were the Governor of Ogun State, Oluwaseyi Abiodun, Governor

Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, Governor Diri Duoye of Bayelsa State and Governor John Olukayode Fayemi, of Ekiti State

Also in attendance were Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State and Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State.

Edo, Imo, Abia, Anambra and Ebonyi States were represented by their Deputy Governors.