The Next President Should Emerge From Southern Nigeria -SGF

Southern Governors Forum (SGF) have demanded that the next president of Nigeria should come from the South.

They made the demand in a communique issued on Monday July 5, in a meeting  at Government House, Lagos State.

The Body also reviewed the security situations in Nigeria, the constitutional amendment and the Petroleum Industry Bill.

Reading the communiqué after a closed door meeting to Newsmen, the Governor of Ondo State and Chairman of the Forum, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN), said the demand is in line 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, noting that the next President of Nigeria should emerge from the south.

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

The Forum condemned the expulsion of  Electronic transmission of the election result from the electoral act saying that 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 position in support of state police, commending security operatives for their relentless efforts in restoring security and safety across the country.

According the 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.”

The Forum commended the National Assembly for the passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) law but rejected the proposed 3% and endorsed the 5% share of the oil revenue recommended by the House of Representatives for the host communities.

“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 Emmanuel Udom, 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.