The Southern Governors’ Forum has elected Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun as its new chairman, with Anambra State Governor, Prof. Charles Soludo serving as vice chairman.
The Southern Governors’ Forum comprises 17 governors from Nigeria’s southern regions: South-West, South-South, and South-East. elected the host, Gov. Abiodun, on Monday at its meeting held in the state capital, Abeokuta.
Abiodun succeeded the former governor of Ondo State, the late Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN), who passed away in December 2023.
All 17 governors from the southern regions of Nigeria attended the meeting, except Gov. Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State.
The governors in attendance were Dapo Abiodun (host), Godwin Obaseki (Edo), Seyi Makinde (Oyo), Alex Otii (Abia), Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos), Ademola Adeleke (Osun), Francis Nwifuru (Ebonyi), Enugu’s Peter Mbah, Bayelsa’s Douye Diri, and Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State.
Others include Ekiti State’s Biodun Oyebanji, Cross River’s Bassey Otu, Anambra’s Charles Soludo, Imo State deputy governor Chinyere Ekomaru, Delta State deputy governor Monday Onyeme, and Ondo State deputy governor Olayide Adelami.
Abiodun addressed the press following a five-hour closed-door meeting at the Presidential Lodge in Abeokuta, expressing his gratitude and humility at his election as the next Chairman of the Southern Governors’ Forum, alongside Prof. Soludo as Vice Chairman.
He pledged to continue to work towards the betterment of the nation, considering the honour as a motivation to further dedicate himself to the country’s progress.
He said: “I first want to thank all the governors, the 17 governors, for coming to Abeokuta today for this first meeting after about three years.
“It underscores the commitment and determination to ensure that the Southern States are occupied by their pride of place.
“I also want to thank them for this confidence, so I reposed in myself and Professor Soludo and pledged that we would ensure this confidence was justified.
“We have discussed a whole range of issues, but because of time constraints, myself and Governor Soludo will make available to you pressmen the details of our communique that reflect our aspirations, our determination, and the new and repositioned Southern Governors’ Forum.”
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