…ban open grazing in states
Seventeen state governors of the southern part of the country on Tuesday charged President Muhammadu Buhari to address Nigerians on the challenges of insecurity and restore their confidence.
They also urged the President to immediately convoke a national dialogue to address the various grievances of the different groups in the country.
The governors stated this in a 12-point communique issued at the end of their four-hour meeting in Asaba, Delta State and read by their Chairman, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State.
The governors stressed that the people of Southern Nigeria remained committed to Nigeria’s unity on the basis of justice, fairness, equity, oneness, and peaceful co-existence between and among its peoples with a focus on the attainment of shared goals for economic development and prosperity.
Akeredolu said, “Southern Governors expressed very grave concern on the security challenges currently plaguing the nation and strongly urged that Mr. President should address Nigerians on the challenges of insecurity and restore the confidence of our people.
“We observed that the incursion of armed herders, criminals, and bandits into the Southern part of the country has presented a severe security challenge such that citizens are not able to live their normal lives, including pursuing various productive activities leading to a threat to food supply and general security.
“Consequently, the meeting resolved that open grazing of cattle be banned across Southern Nigeria.
“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.
“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.”
The Southern governors also expressed concern about the continued gridlock on the Oshodi-Apapa Expressway.
They, therefore, recommended the activation and establishment of ports in other states of the federation to create new jobs and promote socio-economic activities in the country.
The Forum also expressed concern on the economic implications of another lockdown on the country and therefore suggested greater coordination and cooperation between Federal and state governments in evolving strategies for dealing with the pandemic.
Fifteen of the Southern state governors attended the meeting.
They include Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, Dr Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti), Nyesom Wike (Rivers), Godwin Obaseki (Edo), Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), Seyi Makinde (Oyo), and Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos).
Others are Douye Diri (Bayelsa), Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia), Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu), Rotimi Akeredolu (Ondo), David Umahi (Ebonyi), Willie Obiano (Anambra). Deputy governors of Imo and Akwa Ibom states represented their principals.
Governors of Osun and Cross Rivers states, however, were absent from the meeting.