Seventeen States that make up the southern part of Nigeria have affirmed their commitment to national unity.
They called for true federalism that would lead to the devolution of powers to federating states.
Speaking after the Southern Governors Summit, held at the Lagos House, Ikeja, the Governors in their communiqué, read by the host, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State, said there was a need for a united and indivisible Nigeria as well infrastructure development.
According to Governor Ambode, “the Summit also reiterated its belief in true federalism and devolution of powers.”
“It restated its commitment to collaborate with one another for the growth and development of their economies; the summit emphasized priority on the security of lives and property of its citizens as well as the need for effective linkage on good infrastructure within the southern space of Nigeria.”
Milestones
Governor Ambode had also stated in a welcome address that, “the forum in time past had recorded landmark achievements such as the entrenchment of 13 percent derivation for oil-producing states, declaration in 2002 by the Supreme Court that the Nigerian government’s direct deduction of money from the federation account as a first line charge for funding of joint venture contract, NNPC priority projects, servicing of federal government’s external debts, the judiciary and the federal capital territory and other federal obligations were illegal and unconstitutional.”
Governor Ambode stressed that in spite of the past achievements, there was a lot to be done in order to actualise true federalism.
“This requires urgent, meticulous and proactive attention by this forum, no less disturbing is the failure to undertake the periodic review of the revenue allocation formula as provided for by the constitution to reflect evolving realities, this is another critical matter that ought to engage this forum,” he affirmed.
Appointments
The forum appointed Governor Ambode as Chairman while it also appointed Governors Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State and David Umahi of Ebonyi State as co-Chairmen.
The just-concluded meeting came up 12 years after a similar one in 2005.
The inaugural meeting of the Southern Governors took place in Lagos in 2001 under the administration of former Governor Bola Tinubu.
Next edition of the summit is scheduled to hold in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
The Governors, who met under the auspices of the Southern Governors’ Summit, include Governors Emmanuel Udom (Akwa Ibom) State, Godwin Obaseki (Edo State), Nyesom Wike (Rivers) and Seriake Dickson (Bayelsa).
Others are Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia), David Umahi (Ebonyi), Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu), Rauf Aregbesola (Osun), Abiola Ajimobi (Oyo), Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun) Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (Ondo), Ayodele Fayose (Ekiti State) and Akinwunmi Ambode (Lagos State).
The Governors of Anambra, Cross River and Delta were represented by their deputies while the Imo State Governor was absent at the summit.
The Southern part of Nigeria comprises of the South-East, South-West and the South-South geopolitical zones.
– Confidence Okwuchi I VON
