The Southern governors’Forum, SGF, on Monday, insisted that any law enforcement agency carrying out an operation in any of the states in the South must take permission from the state governor, who is the chief security officer of the state, just as it insisted the next President of the country should emerge from the South.
Reading the communique after its closed-door meeting which is a follow up to their May 11th meeting in Asaba, Governor Rotimi of Ondo State chairman of the forum, however, kept mum on the recent arrest of Nnamdi Kanu, and the attack on Yoruba freedom fighter, Chief Sunday Adeyemo also known as Sunday Igboho’s house.
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 While reiterating its commitment to the politics of equity, fairness and unanimously agreed that the presidency of Nigeria be rotated between Southern and Northern Nigeria, resolving, that the next president of Nigeria should emerge from the Southern Region.
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, they Re-emphasised the need for State Police, stressing, that the SGF 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 also frowned at selective criminal administration of Justice and resolved that arrests should be made within the ambit of the Law and fundamental human rights.
The governors Set a timeline of Wednesday, 1st September 2021 for the promulgation of the anti-open grazing law in all Member States and 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.
On the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) Law, The Forum commended the National Assembly for the progress made in the passage of the PIB but rejected the proposed 3%, insisting on the 5% share of oil revenues to the host community as recommended by the House of Representatives, they also rejected the proposed 30% share of profit for the exploration of oil and gas in the basins as well as the ownership structure of the proposed Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC), and disagreed 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.
In order to consolidate our democracy and strengthen the Electoral process, the Forum rejected the removal of the Electronic transmission of the election result from the electoral act and also the confirmation of exclusive jurisdiction in pre-election matters on the Federal High Court. They unanimously chose Lagos State as its permanent secretariat and appreciated the Governor of Lagos State for the wonderful hosting of the meeting while commending him for his good works in the State.
0
0
