BREAKING: Southern govs set Sept 21 deadline to end open grazing, insist on presidency in 2023

The Southern Governors Forum said on Monday set a September 21 deadline for the promulgation of anti-open grazing law by states in the region.

They also demanded that the region should produce the country’s next president in 2023.

The 17 governors stated these in a communiqué issued at the end of their meeting in Lagos and signed by the Chairman of the Southern Governors’ Forum, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu.

The governors said is no going back on the ban on open grazing in the region.

They set a September 21 deadline for the end of open grazing in the region.

Governors at the meeting were the host, Babajide Sawo-Olu, Nyesom Wike (Rivers), Adegboyega Oyetola (Osun), Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu), Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia), Emmanuel Udom (Akwa Ibom), Duoye Diri (Bayelsa), Willie Obiano (Anambra) and Ben Ayade (Cross Rivers).

Others were – Ifeanyi Okowa (Delta), David Umahi (Ebonyi), Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti), Hope Uzodimma (Imo), Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), and Seyi Makinde (Oyo).

Edo State was represented by the Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu.

The communiqué read: “Rising from the meeting, the Forum agreed on the following:

– 2023 Presidential Election

The Forum called on all political parties to zone their presidential tickets to the southern region for fairness and equity.

– Open Grazing

The Forum reiterated its calls for open grazing in defiance to President Muhammadu Buhari and the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami who have been at the forefront of digging up a 1963 gazette that had delieanated grazing routes in the northern parts of the country. The governors maintained their stance aimed at reducing the issues of herders/farmers crisis across the country.

– Security

a. The Forum reviewed the security situation in the country and commends security operatives for their relentless efforts in restoring security and safety and commiserates with families and loved ones of those who have fallen in the line of duty.

b. Re-emphasised the need for State Police;

c. Resolved that if for any reason security institutions need to undertake an operation in any State, the Chief Security Officer of the State must be duly informed.

d. The forum frowns at selective criminal administration of Justice and resolved that arrests should be made within the ambit of the Law and fundamental human rights

e. Set a timeline of Wednesday, 1st September, 2021 for the promulgation of the anti open grazing law in all member States; and

f. 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.

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– Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) Law:

i. The Forum commends the National Assembly for the progress made in the passage of the PIB.

ii. The Forum rejects the proposed 3% and support the 5% share of the oil revenue to the host community as recommended by the House of Representatives.

iii. The forum also rejects the proposed 30% share of profit for the exploration of oil and gas in the basins.

iv. However, the forum rejects the ownership structure of the proposed Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC). The Forum disagrees that the company be vested in the Federal Ministry of Finance but should be held in trust by Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) since all tiers of Government have stakes in that vehicle.

– In order to consolidate our democracy and strengthen the Electoral process, the Southern Governors’ Forum reject the removal of the Electronic transmission of the election result from the electoral act; and also rejects the confirmation of exclusive jurisdiction in pre-election matters on the Federal High Court.

– The Forum unanimously chose Lagos State as its permanent secretariat and appreciated the Governor of Lagos State for the wonderful hosting of this meeting while commending him for his good work in the State.

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