Southern Govs Back Restructuring, Ban Open Grazing

Matilda Omonaiye/

Southern governors, today, threw their weight behind calls for the restructuring of the country.

The governors also placed a ban on open grazing, while calling for a review of revenue allocation formula in favour of the sub-national governments, amongst others.

This was contained in a communiqué issued at the end of a meeting of the governors in Asaba, Delta State.

They called on President Muhammadu Buhari to convoke a national dialogue to address widespread agitations amongst various groups in the region.

The governors agreed that Nigeria needs to be restructured to reflect true federalism leading to the creation of state police.

They also recommended the establishment of ports in other states to address the congestion of the Lagos Port.

The governors also advocated for a review of appointments into Federal Government agencies including security agencies to reflect federal character.

The communiqué reads in part, “At its meeting, held today, 11th May, 2021, the Southern Governors Forum reviewed the situation in the nation generally and focused on the current security situation, agitations/restructuring, prospect for inter-state collaboration and partnerships as well as on the incidence of the COVID-19 pandemic. Rising from the meeting, the Forum:

“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 economíc development and prosperity;

“Agreed that the progress of the nation requires that urgent and bold steps be taken to restructure the Nigerian Federation leading to the evolution of state police, review of revenue allocation formula in favour of the sub-national governments and creation of other institutions which legitimately advance our commitment to and practice of true federalism;

“Recommended that 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;

“Recommended that in deference to the sensitivities of our various peoples, there is need to review appointments into Federal Government Agencies (including Security Agencies) to reflect federal character as Nigeria’s overall population is heterogenous.”

Editor