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Tag: southern governors

  • Southern Governors claims on nepotism in Buhari’s government true – Bauchi Governor

    Southern Governors claims on nepotism in Buhari’s government true – Bauchi Governor

    Bauchi Governor Bala Mohammed has said the Federal Government has lost ideas on how to address the various economic challenge bedeviling the nation.

    Mohammed, who spoke on Thursday at the Government House shortly after performing the Eid prayers to mark the Sallah celebration, said the FG should stop the blame game and look for a way forward.

    According to him: “I think the FG has lost any idea to grow the economy. What they are best known for is the blame game. They are not even fighting the corruption they claimed to be fighting ”

    Mohammed, who blamed the nation’s backwardness on nepotism by the Buhari led-administration, added there is no fairness and equitable allocation of appointments across the six geopolitical zones.

    He said: ”There are sacred cows and small gods who cannot be touched in Buhari’s government but if you are not fair and equitable in your government, If there is nepotism where only one section is giving positions in your government, then there will be problems.

    ” There is an iota of truth in what the Southern Governors said on some sections being highly favoured at the detriment of others.

    ” What we know in this country as a Federalist is that there should always be a balance. If you don’t practice fairness at the top , then you cannot get it at the lower level. Unless we show fairness and equity we cannot grow the economy .”

  • Mimiko backs Southern governors resolutions

    Mimiko backs Southern governors resolutions

    Former governor of Ondo State, Dr Olusegun Mimiko, has thrown his weight behind the resolutions arrived at by southern governors after a meeting held in Asaba on Tuesday.

    Mimiko also urged the southern governors to meet with their northern counterparts to resolve the areas of differences and save the country from its current predicament.

    This was contained in a statement issued by the former governor on Thursday.

    The statement read, “It is also salutary that members of the Southern Caucus of the National Assembly have weighed in. It’s all a reflection of the realisation of the fact that the nation may be perching at the precipice, and of the urgent need to pull her back.

    “The next step is for the southern governors to meet with their northern counterparts to iron out what may just be minor areas of difference in substance and timelines.

    “There cannot be any reasonable arguments against decentralisation of policing to ensure the emergence of compact and efficient sub-national forces under state (sub-national government control).

    “There surely cannot be any disagreement amongst the governors on the issue of devolution of resources from the centre. As a matter of fact, the present revenue allocation formula has long been statutorily due for review. New sources of revenue will surely be needed for state policing, and to address ongoing security challenges in the states.

    “The Governors’ Forum also recently took a position on open grazing in its virtual meeting of February 2021. In a communiqué issued after the meeting, the Forum had noted: ‘The current system of herding mainly through open grazing is no longer sustainable, in view of growing urbanisation and population of the country.’

    “That position has now been reiterated at the Asaba meeting, underscoring the need for, and urgency of implementation of remedial measures. Timelines and details of these measures can be worked out amongst the governors. The truth is, we may actually be closer to a national consensus on short to medium term solutions to our present challenges than we imagine.”

    Mimiko advised all the stakeholders to act on the Nigeria issue when it was time to do so.

  • Open grazing ban: You will be wasting precious time if you think presidency will act on your resolutions, Falana tells Southern Governors

    Open grazing ban: You will be wasting precious time if you think presidency will act on your resolutions, Falana tells Southern Governors

    Human rights lawyer and a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Femi Falana, has commended the southern governors for banning open grazing in the 17 southern states of the country.

    Falana, who spoke during a monitored Channels Television interview on Wednesday asked the governors to back their ban on open grazing with a legal instrument to enable the prosecution of offenders.

    He also asked the governors to ensure state attorneys general come together and put in machinery for translating the resolutions into laws.

    “I have read the resolutions and for me, the governors have done very well. They need to mobilise their northern colleagues, they need to walk their talk because if you expect that the presidency will act on this resolution, the governors may be wasting their precious time,” he said.

    “Each of the governors will have to make enabling laws to translate the decision in the communiqué to legal instruments.”

    The popular lawyer also reacted to the governors’ demand for restructuring of the country, coupled with the issue of control of resources.

    He said their resolution was timely, especially as it relates to their quest for fiscal federalism in the country.

    Falana added, “For the entire country, these resolutions will be very useful; they have come at the right time, not too late, the governors have now formally joined the campaign for restructuring.”

    His comments come 24 hours after the regional governors converged at the Delta State Government House in Asaba to hold talks on the state of the nation.

    After the meeting on Tuesday, the regional governors announced a ban on open grazing in all the 17 Southern states.

    They also recommended that the Federal Government should support willing states to develop alternative and modern livestock management systems.

    They called on President Muhammadu Buhari to as a matter of urgency and importance, address Nigerians on the frightening state of insecurity across the nation and convoke a national dialogue.

    The meeting followed the worsening insecurity in the country ranging from terrorism to banditry, militancy and calls for secession.

  • Why Southern Governors banned open grazing – Akeredolu

    Why Southern Governors banned open grazing – Akeredolu

    Chairman of the Southern Governor’s Forum, Rotimi Akeredolu, has explained why the group placed a ban on open grazing of cows into and within the region.

    The governors had earlier in a communique jointly signed by all called for a national dialogue and also announced that a ban has been placed on open grazing in the region. The communique was signed at the end of their meeting in Asaba, the Delta State Capital, on Tuesday.

    Akeredolu on Wednesday during a monitored programme on Channels Television said the decision is not new and most of the governors have placed a ban on open grazing in their states before the meeting.

    He called for a modern system of animal husbandry.

    “This message is not new. We looked at what is happening in our respective states. Most of the states have passed laws on open grazing. Virtually all of us have passed that law.

    “We felt that … this open grazing must stop. It is causing a lot of problems particularly between the herders and the farmers. Whether we like it or not, times have changed and this must change. We must adopt a modern system of animal husbandry.

    “In this day and age, they cannot continue taking cows by foot from Kano to Port Harcourt,” he said.

    The governor said the Federal government needs to throw its weight behind state governments that want to set up ranches, noting that this will benefit the herders who are exposed to dangers as they roam with their cattle.

    “At the meeting, we referred to what Governor Ganduje said. It was clear that he is also against open grazing. He says it does not augur well and the herders also do not benefit from it. There is no development, they are exposed to dangers.

    “That why we suggested that the Federal Government should intervene to help these herders. The Federal government should give money for ranches to be created. That is why it is part of our recommendation that states who want to create ranches be supported,” Akeredolu who is also the Governor of Ondo State said.

    The decision of the Southern Governors to ban open grazing comes three months after the Nigerian Governors Forum did the same.

    In February 2021, the Nigerian Governors Forum, representing all 36 states in the country, said it had reached a consensus on the “need for the country to transition into modern systems of animal husbandry that will replace open, night, and underage grazing in the country.”

    The ban on open grazing comes as herdsmen violence continues to be reported across the country.

    Beyond the herdsmen crisis, the country continues to groan under diverse security threats, including but not limited to an insurgency in the North-East, banditry in the North-West, and secessionist agitations in the South-East and South-West.

  • PANDEF hails Southern Governors decisions on restructuring, insecurity

    PANDEF hails Southern Governors decisions on restructuring, insecurity

    Members of Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) have applauded the resolutions of Southern Governors on restructuring, state of insecurity, open grazing and others.

    TheNewsGuru.com, TNG reports that a meeting of Governors of the 17 states of the Southern region was held in Asaba Delta State on Tuesday to review the current state of the Nation especially as it concerns the spiking state of insecurity, activities of herdsmen/ open grazing, the 1999 constitution, Federal appointments, among other issues, and critical decisions were taken.

    Thirteen of the Governors were present in the meeting; two states were represented by their Deputy Governors, while two others were conspicuously absent.

    PANDEF in a statement in Port Harcourt, Rivers state Wednesday by its National Publicity Secretary, Ken Robinson praised the decisions of the Governors, describing it as far reaching.

    The group also commended the agreement by the Leaders to meet to discuss these boiling issues that are seriously threatening the unity of the nation, noting that the gathering was fruitful and met PANDEF’s expectations.

    Robinson in the statement said, “PANDEF applauds the meeting of 17 southern governors, decisions on restructuring, insecurity, skewed federal appointments, open grazing among others.

    “With the things going on in the country, we had expected them to meet before now but it is a good thing that they have met. It is a welcomed development.

    “This would not only foster cooperation among the governors and people of the southern states but also strengthen the nation’s democracy.

    “We have also seen the communique that they issued. It is very commendable.

    “Their resolutions reemphasized our positions, particularly, on restructuring; open grazing, and the alarming state of insecurity.”

  • Insecurity: Southern governors ban open grazing , task Buhari on other key things to do to put Nigeria back on track

    Insecurity: Southern governors ban open grazing , task Buhari on other key things to do to put Nigeria back on track

    Governors of Southern Nigeria have resolved to ban open grazing of cattle in the Southern part of the country.

    The governors who expressed their grave concern on the security challenge currently plaguing the nation demanded that President Muhammad Buhari should address Nigerians on the challenges of insecurity.

    The Southern Governors met in Asaba, Delta State on Tuesday.

    Chairman of the Southern Nigeria Governors Forum and Governor of Ondo State, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, who read the communique after the meeting which at the Government House, Asaba, said the country is long overdue for restructuring.

    Akeredolu said the governors bold steps should be taken by the federal government to restructure the country and pave way for the evolution of state police; review of revenue allocation formula in favour of the States and creation of other institutions which legitimately advance the country’s commitment to and practice of true federalism.

    “In view of widespread agitations among our various peoples for greater inclusiveness in existing governance arrangements, the Federal Government should convoke a national dialogue as a matter of urgency.”

    The Southern governors recommended that in deference to the sensitivities of the various peoples of the country, there is need to review appointments into Federal Government agencies (including security agencies) to reflect federal character as Nigeria’s overall population is heterogenous.

    He declared that the governors affirmed that the peoples of Southern Nigeria remain committed to the unity of Nigeria on the basis of justice, fairness, equity and oneness and peaceful co-existence between and among its peoples with a focus on the attainment of shared goals for economic development and prosperity.

    The Southern governors, however, observed that the incursion of armed herders, criminals and bandits into the Southern part of the country has presented a severe security challenge such that citizens are not able to live their normal lives including pursuing various productive activities leading to a threat to food supply and general security.

    Consequently, the meeting resolved that open grazing of cattle be banned across Southern Nigeria.

    They noted that development and population growth has put pressure on available land and increased the prospects of conflict between migrating herders and local populations in the South.

    “Given this scenario, it becomes imperative to enforce the ban on open grazing in the South (including cattle movement to the South by foot); recommended that the Federal Government should support willing States to develop alternative and modern livestock management systems.”

    He explained that the governors expressed concern on the continued gridlock on the Oshodi – Apapa Expressway and the chokehold it has exerted on the nation’s economy, being the sole outlet from Apapa Wharf.

    The governors recommended the activation and establishment of ports in other States of the federation to create new jobs and promote socio-economic activities in the country.

    “the meeting expressed concern on the economic implications of another lockdown on the country, and therefore suggested greater coordination and cooperation between Federal and State Governments in evolving strategies for dealing with the pandemic.”

    Present at the meeting were, Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike; Governor of Delta State, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa; Dr. Victor Okezie Ikpeazu, Governor, Abia State; Chief Emmanuel Udom,Governor, Akwa Ibom State; Willie Obiano, Governor, Anambra State:Dapo Abiodun, Governor, Ogun State;
    Isiaka Adegboyega Oyetola, Governor, Osun State; Oluwaseyi Abiodun Makinde, Governor, Oyo State.

    Others are; Senator Diri Duoye, Governor, Bayelsa State; Prof. Ben Ayade Governor, Cross Rivers State; Engr. Dave Umahi, Governor, Ebonyi State; Godwin Obaseki, Governor, Edo State; John Olukayode Fayemi, Governor, Ekiti State;
    Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, Governor, Enugu State, Senator Hope Uzodimma, Governor, Imo State; Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Governor, Lagos State.

    Kelvin Ebiri
    Special Assistant (Media) Rivers State Governor

  • Insecurity: 16 governors hit Delta for Southern governors’ meeting

    Insecurity: 16 governors hit Delta for Southern governors’ meeting

    Sixteen of the 17 southern governors have arrived Asaba, Delta State for a crucial security meeting to address the growing insecurity in the region.

    Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu is already in Asaba for the meeting with other governors under the aegis of the Southern Nigeria Governors Forum (SNGF) to address the growing issues of insecurity and other matters affecting the regions and Nigeria as a whole.

    The Southern Nigeria Governors Forum is the umbrella body for all the seventeen governors in South-West, South-South and South-East geo-political zones of Nigeria.

    According to the statement issued on Tuesday by Governor Sanwo-Olu’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Gboyega Akosile, the meeting is an intervention by the governors to jointly brainstorm and address burning issues in the Southern part of Nigeria.

    The regional security meeting is holding less than twenty hours after Governor Sanwo-Olu hosted a very crucial stakeholders meeting on security in Lagos, to address the challenges posed to the state.

    Like Lagos, the Southern Nigeria Governors Forum meeting is expected to critically evaluate the current security situation in the country, the implications for southern Nigeria and proffer an immediate and long term solution so as to keep the region safe and secure for the citizens.

    The SNGF, will hold at the banquet hall of the Delta State Government House, Asaba.

    Some of the governors who are already in Asaba as at 11:30am for the crucial meeting are the host governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa (Delta), Chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF), Dr. Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti); Chairmen, South-West Governors Forum, Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu (Ondo), Governors Seyi Makinde (Oyo), Nyesom Wike (Rivers) and Dapo Abiodun (Ogun).

    It would be recalled that the Southern Nigeria Governors Forum held a virtual meeting last Tuesday at the instance of Governors Rotimi Akeredolu (Ondo), Ifeanyi Okowa (Delta) and David Umahi (Ebonyi) who are chairmen of the South-West, South-South and South-East Governors Forum respectively.

    The virtual meeting was attended by 15 out of the 17 governors in the Southern region of Nigeria.

    It was during the virtual meeting that the governors agreed to meet in Asaba today for another meeting that will harmonise their positions towards addressing the insecurity and tension in the country, among other issues.

  • Gov Ambode emerges Chairman, Southern Governors Forum

    Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode was yesterday unanimously appointed as the Chairman of the forum while Gov. Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa and David Umahi of Ebonyi States were appointed as Co- Chairmen.

    His appointment came during the meeting of all the governors of the 17 states in Southern Nigeria.

    The governors all agreed that restructuring was key for Nigeria as a country and gave their commitment to the growth of Nigeria.

    They spoke through a joint communique issued after they met in Lagos House, Ikeja, Lagos.

    The governors met twelve years after their last meeting held in Lagos. The first summit took place in 2001 and the last in 2005.

    The forum scheduled the next meeting for Port Harcourt, on a yet to be announced date.

    The Governor-General becomes Chairman of the Southern Governors Forum. Congrats in zillions…#AmboLeekanSi

    A post shared by steve ayorinde (@steveayorinde) on

    Aside Ambode, governors present include Gov. Ayo Fayose of Ekiti , Gov. Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun ; Ondo State governor, Mr Rotimi Akeredolu; Osun State governor, Mr Rauf Aregbesola and Oyo State governor, Mr Abiola Ajimobi.

    Also present were the Governors 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 .

    The Deputy Governors of Anambra, Dr Nkem Okeke , and Cross River State, Prof. Ivara Esu were also present at the event.

  • Southern Nigerian governors demand true federalism, devolution of powers

    The governors of the 17 states of Southern Nigeria on Monday demanded devolution of powers to states from the federal government.

    The governors also reiterated their commitment to the growth of Nigeria.

    They spoke through a joint communique issued after they met in Lagos House, Ikeja, Lagos.

    The governors met twelve years after their last meeting held in Lagos. The first summit took place in 2001 and the last in 2005.

    The communique, read by Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos, also stated that the governors reiterated their commitment to true federalism and devolution of powers.

    They also stated their commitment to a united, indivisible Nigeria and called for effective linkage of infrastructure in the southern part of the country.

    The summit also appointed Mr. Ambode as chairman of the forum and governors Dave Umahi of Ebonyi and Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa as co-chairmen.

    The forum scheduled the next meeting for Port Harcourt, on a yet to be announced date.

    Aside Ambode, governors present include Gov. Ayo Fayose of Ekiti , Gov. Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun ; Ondo State governor, Mr Rotimi Akeredolu; Osun State governor, Mr Rauf Aregbesola and Oyo State governor, Mr Abiola Ajimobi.

    Also present were the Governors 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 .

    The Deputy Governors of Anambra, Dr Nkem Okeke , and Cross River State, Prof. Ivara Esu were also present at the event.

    However, Gov. Rochas Okorocha of Imo State was absent.

  • Southern governors converge on Lagos, rekindle restructuring debate

    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 .