The governors of the Southern States have strongly insisted that the next President of Nigeria must be from the South.
Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo state who is the Chairman of the Southern Governors’ Forum, disclosed this while reading from a communique jointly signed by the governors after a closed-door meeting in Alausa, Lagos State on Monday, July 5.
“The Forum reiterates its commitment to the politics of equity, fairness and unanimously agrees that the presidency of Nigeria be rotated between Southern and Northern Nigeria and resolved that the next president of Nigeria should emerge from the Southern Region,” Governor Akeredolu said on behalf of the governors.
The governors also stressed the need for state police and commended security operatives for their efforts in restoring security and safety and commiserated with families and loved ones of those who have fallen in the line of duty.
The Forum also commended the National Assembly for the progress made in the passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) and rejected the proposed 3% and support the 5% share of the oil revenue to the host community as recommended by the House of Representatives.
The communique read in part:
“The Forum reiterates its commitment to the politics of equity, fairness and unanimously agrees that the presidency of Nigeria be rotated between Southern and Northern Nigeria and resolved that the next president of Nigeria should emerge from the Southern Region.
” The Forum disagrees 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 Southern Governors’ Forum rejects the removal of the Electronic transmission of the election result from the electoral act; and also rejects the confirmation of exclusive jurisdiction in pre-election matters on the Federal High Court.
” Forum unanimously chose Lagos State as its permanent secretariat and appreciated the Governor of Lagos State for the wonderful hosting of this meeting while commending him for his good work in the State.”
