Governors of the
southern region of the country converged in Lagos state for a meeting to
discuss pertinent national matters on Monday.
After the sit-down, the governors demanded that the south
should produce the next president of the country, and that the anti-open
grazing law will be promulgated in the region on September 1.
The governors said security agencies must carry them along
if they plan to embark on any operation in their states. They also frowned upon
what they described as “selective criminal administration of justice”.
The Southern Governors Forum (SGF) also talked about the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) and reiterated their demand for state police.
Below is the full text of the communique issued at the end
of the meeting:
The Southern Governors Forum at the end of the meeting
held on Monday, 5th July, 2021 reviewed the situation in the Country and
focused on the current security situation, constitutional amendment, Petroleum
Industry Bill (PIB).
Rising from the meeting, the Forum agreed on the following:
1. 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.
2. The Forum reiterates its commitment to the politics of
equity, fairness and unanimously agrees that the presidency of Nigeria be
rotated between Southern and Northern Nigeria and resolved that the next
president of Nigeria should emerge from the Southern Region.
3. Security
a. 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;
b. Re-emphasised the need for State Police;
c. 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;
d. 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;
e. Set a timeline of Wednesday, 1st September, 2021 for the promulgation of
the anti open grazing law in all member States; and
f. 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.
4. Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) Law:
i. The Forum commends the National Assembly for the progress made in the passage
of the PIB;
ii. the Forum rejects the proposed 3% and support the 5% share of the oil
revenue to the host community as recommended by the House of Representatives;
iii. the forum also rejects the proposed 30% share of profit for the
exploration of oil and gas in the basins;
iv. However, the forum rejects the ownership structure of the proposed
Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC). 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.
5. 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.
6. 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.
Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu SAN
Governor, Ondo State and Chairman, Southern Governors’ Forum
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