By Our reporter
Southern Governors have resolved in their one day meeting that the next President of Nigeria should emerge from the Region.
The meeting which was held in Lagos reviewed the situation in the country and focused on the current security situation, constitutional amendment, and Petroleum Industry Bill.
In a communique read by the chairman of the Forum and Governor of Ondo. state Rotimi, Akeredolu the Governors reiterated their committment to the politics of equity, fairness and unity of the Country.
The Governors re - emphasised the need for state Police and insisted that if for any reason security institution needs to undertake an operation in any state, the State Chief Executive should be duly informed.
" The Forum frowns at selective criminal administration of Justice and resolved that arrest should be made within the ambit of the law and fundamental human rights." The communique reads.
The Governors also set a timeline of Wednesday, 1st September for the promulgation of the anti Grazing law in all member States and also 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, the Governors rejected the proposed 3% and supported the 5% share of the oil revenue to the host Community as recommended by the House of Representatives.
Also, the Governors rejected the proposed 30% share of project for the exploration of oil and gas in the basin.
According to the communique, " the forum rejects the ownership structure of the proposed Nigerian National petroleum Corporation Limited and disagrees that the company be vested in the Federal Ministry of Finance, but should be held in trust by Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority since all tiers of Government have stakes in that vehicle.
In order to consolidate the nation's democracy and strengthen the Electoral process, the Southern Governors’ Forum rejected the removal of the Electronic transmission of the election result from the electoral act; and also rejected the confirmation of exclusive jurisdiction in pre-election matters on the Federal High Courts.
Fifteen out of the seventeen Governors were in attendance including the Co- Chairman of the Forum and Governor of Ebonyi State Engr David Nweze Umahi who was represented by the Deputy Governor Dr Kelechi Igwe.
Post a Comment