The 17 governors from the South-west, South-east and South-south were on Monday, all represented in Lagos on Monday to discuss latest national issues as well as forge stronger partnership among states in the region.
The Southern Governors’ summit 2017 is coming after 12 years of a similar gathering.
A statement by the Secretary to the Lagos State Government, Tunji Bello, said the meeting would be co-hosted by the Governors of Lagos State, Akinwunmi Ambode and Akwa Ibom, Emmanuel Udom.
Mr. Bello said the meeting is in line with the realisation that the different states in the South have since 2005 developed several areas of comparative advantage which could be harnessed and become mutually beneficial.
According to him, the governors would also be expected to adopt a common position on the issues of armed robbery, kidnapping, devolution of powers and issue of fiscal federalism which have all gained prominence of late.
“The 2017 Lagos summit of the 17 Southern Governors representing the South-south, South-west and South-east zones is expected to come up with a communiqué after the deliberation.
“It is noteworthy to recall that the inaugural meeting of the Southern Governors took place in Lagos in 2001 under the administration of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” Mr. Bello said.
The statement added that the predominance of views is that if the Southern states speak with one voice, they are bound to attract weighty and credible listenership.
Governors from the South-east and South-south zones have been meeting intermittently with the latest on October 9 in Owerri where they rejected calls for the breakup of the country while rallying support for its continued existence as an indivisible entity.
The Governors present at the Southern Governors’ summit 2017 include the Six S’west Govs: Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode; Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Ayo Fayose; Ogun State Governor, Sen. Ibikunle Amosun; Ondo State Governor, Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu; Osun State Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola and Oyo State Governor, Sen. Abiola Ajimobi. Also present are the Governor’s of: Rivers State, Nyesom Wike; Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki; Abia State, Okezie Ikpeazu; Enugu State, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi; Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Emmanuel Udom and Ebonyi State, David Umahi .