Next President Must Emerge From Southern Nigeria, SGF Insists

The 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, last Monday.
The Southern Governors Forum (SGF) had met to review the prevailing security situation in Nigeria, the constitutional amendment and the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), among others.
Reading the communiqué after the closed-door meeting to journalists, the Ondo State Governor and Chairman of the forum, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN), said the demand was in keeping 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 communiqué read in part.
The forum set Wednesday, September 1, 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 the communique, the governors commiserate with families and loved ones of security operatives who have fallen in the line of duty.
It said, the forum “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”.
Akeredolu, also read that the forum commended the National Assembly for the progress made in the passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB). Per cent 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 per cent 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 Nigerian 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 Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike; Governor of Delta State, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa; Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Chief Emmanuel Udom; and Governor of Osun State, Isiaka Adegboyega Oyetola.
Others were the Governor of Ogun State, Oluwaseyi Abiodun; Oyo State Governor, Engr Seyi Makinde; Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Diri Duoye; and Ekiti State Governor, Dr John Olukayode Fayemi.
Also in attendance were Enugu State Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi; and the host, Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
The governors of Edo, Imo, Abia, Anambra and Ebonyi states were represented by their deputy.