The apex body of all Yoruba interests groups in Nigeria and in Diaspora, Igbimọ Apapo Yoruba Lagbaye (Yoruba Council Worldwide) has lauded the braveness and commitment of the Southern Governors to the interest of their people as demonstrated in their resolutions at a meeting in Lagos, Monday.
The New Diplomat had reported that the Governors, after their closed-door meeting at the Lagos House, backed the call for rotational presidency, insisting that the next president of the country must be a Southerner among other resolutions.
“The Forum reiterates its commitment to the politics of equity, fairness and unanimously agrees that the presidency of Nigeria be rotated between Southern and Northern Nigeria and resolved that the next president of Nigeria should emerge from the Southern Region,” the communique stated.
Reacting to the resolution of the Southern Governors, the Yoruba Council Worldwide led by Aare (Barr.) Oladotun Hassan, hailed the timely efforts and resolution of the governors, led by the Executive Governor of Ondo State, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu, (SAN).
This was contained in a press release signed by the group’s Publicity Secretary, Otunba Gboyega Adeoye and made available to The New Diplomat.
The statement reads, “We boldly salute the undeterred commitments and confidence of the Governors of Southern Nigeria to have stood their ground on the affirmative implementation of the anti open grazing laws by 1st of September, 2021, while critically reviewing the situation in the Country, specifically on the current security situation, the recent constitutional amendment, Electoral Reform, Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) to mention a few.
“We therefore allign with the Southern Governors Forum on the need to reaffirm our unity and wholesome development of Nigeria on the frontiers cardinal pillars of equity, fairness, justice, progress and peaceful co-existence between and amongst its people.
“While appreciating the Forum’s unanimous stands on the presidency of Nigeria be rotated between Southern and Northern Nigeria, which resolved that the next president of Nigeria should emerge from the Southern Region, hence we therefore call for a concerted efforts for a more deliberate supports for the Southwest zone to produce the next President in 2023 tagged: “Yoruba Agenda 2023”.
Also, the group in the statement applauded the Governors for resolving that security agencies must notify them as the chief security officer of their states before they carry out any operation within their domain.
The Governors, during the meeting had unanimously agreed that they must be well notified before the security agencies undertake any operation in Southern states.
This is coming four days after the residence of popular Yoruba Nation activist, Sunday Adeyemo aka Igboho was raided by the men of Department of State Services (DSS) hours to the Yoruba mega rally which held in Lagos State, Saturday.
Although, the Southern Governors’ communiqué didn’t particularly refer to the incident, it however condemned selective criminal administration of Justice while resolving that arrests should be made in line with the constitution of Nigeria and citizens’ fundamental human rights.
“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;
“Re-emphasised the need for State Police. 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.
“Frowns at selective criminal administration of Justice and resolved that arrests should be made within the ambit of the law and fundamental human rights,” the communique added.
The Yoruba Council Worldwide in its statement further commended the Governors for taking a bold step in curbing selective criminal justice in the region.
“We further commend the Governors stand against selective criminal justice, wherein the recent invasion of Chief Sunday Adeyemo Igboho’s House and killing of innocent Nigerians in most heinous injustice and gruesome attacks is an example of such, this is totally condemnable and outlawed.
“Hence, the need for proper concerted information to the State Governor who doubles as the Chief Security Officer on any execution of order or activities by any Federal law enforcement agencies, so as not to lead to counter monumental disaster and conflict of authority.
“We further reiterate our support for state owned policing system that is best suitable for the present climes, wherein succinct strategic security of lives and properties can be adequately guaranteed.
“We wish to inform Southern Governors Forum to hold their respective State’s legislators at both the upper and lower chambers of the National Assembly to account and be more responsive on the review of the passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) Law, which tacitly gave 3% to the host oil producing community, while appealing for support to increase from 5% to 10% share of the oil revenue to the host community;
“We support the Forum’s joint ownership of the proposed Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) to be held in trust by the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) since all tiers of Government have stakes in that vehicle.
“We support the SGF’s resolution on the rejection of 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.
“We salute the befitting and hospitale hosting by the Executive Governor of Lagos State, Mr Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, while granting Lagos State as the Permanent Secretariat of the Southern Nigeria Governors Forum respectively,” the statement added.
