“The Forum also re-emphasized the need for State Police; the governors 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.
“Restates their commitment to the “politics of equity and fairness’’ and unanimously agreed that the Presidency of Nigeria be rotated between Southern and Northern Nigeria. The next President of Nigeria should emerge from the Southern region’’
The Nigeria’s Southern Governors Forum on Monday in Lagos reviewed security situation in the country and expressed grave concern over what it called selective criminal administration of justice by the federal authorities with arrests of people in states made outside the ambit of the law.
Ostensibly making reference to the July 1 bloody midnight raid and invasion of the Ibadan home of Yoruba activist, Chief Sunday Adeyemo a.k.a Sunday Igboho by the Department of State Security (DSS), the governors resolved that henceforth security agencies should inform the governors before carrying out any operation in their states.
A communiqué after their one-day meeting at Lagos House, Ikeja, states: “We 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.’’
The Chairman of Southern Governors Forum and Ondo Gov. Rotimi Akeredolu read the communique as agreed by the member-state.
The closed-door meeting which lasted about four hours, was hosted by Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu. It came eight weeks after their last meeting of May 11, 2021 in Asaba, Delta State.
Persecondnews recalls that the DSS-led security forces killed Igboho’s two associates, vandalized exotic cars, arrested and whisked away13 people from his home including a woman.
The DSS after the bloody attack, has declared Igboho wanted and asked him “to turn himself in to the nearest security agency.’’
The offensive came less than 24 hours to a rally Igboho, who has been demanding the creation of ‘Yoruba nation’, had planned a rally for Lagos on Saturday, July 3.
Briefing newsmen in Abuja on the midnight raid, Dr Peter Afunanya, the DSS spokesman, confirmed that the operation was carried out by joint team of operatives, saying some illegal arms including seven AK-47 rifles and thousands of ammunition were recovered from Igboho’s house.
“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.
“The Forum also re-emphasized the need for State Police; the governors 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.’’
On 2023 presidential poll, the governors restated their commitment to the “politics of equity and fairness’’ and unanimously agreed that the Presidency of Nigeria be rotated between Southern and Northern Nigeria.
“The next President of Nigeria should emerge from the Southern region,’’ the governors said, who also discussed constitutional amendment currently being undertaken by the National Assembly and the recently passed Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB).
On open grazing by Fulani herdsmen, the governors set a timeline of Wednesday, 1st September, 2021 for the promulgation of
the anti-open grazing law in all the southern states.
They also resolved that funds deducted from the Federation Account for the Nigeria Police Security Trust Fund should be distributed among the states and the Federal Government to combat security challenges.
On the country’s electoral process, the communiqué said in order to consolidate democracy and strengthen the electoral process, it rejected the removal of the electronic transmission of election result from the Electoral Act and also rejected the confirmation of exclusive jurisdiction in pre-election matters on the Federal High Court.
The meeting endorsed Lagos State as its permanent secretariat and thanked host governor for a successful hosting and his “good work in the state’’.
Governors, who attended the meeting include Ifeanyi Okowa (Delta), Nyensom Wike (Rivers), Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), Gboyega Oyetola (Osun), Emmanuel Udom (Akwa Ibom), Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti), Senator Douye Diri (Bayelsa), Seyi Makinde (Oyo) and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu).
Deputy Governors who represented their states include Philip Shuaibu (Edo), Placid Njokwu (Imo), Sir Ude Oko Chukwu (Abia) and Kelechi Igwe (Ebonyi).
However, governors of Cross River and Anambra — Prof. Ben Ayade and Willie Obiano — were absent at the meeting.
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