Southern governors set Sept 1 deadline for members to pass anti-grazing law
Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, Governor, Ondo State and
Chairman, Southern Governors’ Forum in a communiquĂ© after the forum’s meeting
in Lagos on Monday, said: “At the end of the meeting held on July 5, 2021, to
review the situation in the country and focused on the current security
situation, constitutional amendment, Petroleum Industry Bill, PIB.
“Rising from the meeting, the Forum agreed on the following:
re-affirmed their commitment to the unity of Nigeria on the pillars of equity,
fairness, justice, progress and peaceful co-existence between and amongst its
people.
“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.
“On security, 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; 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; set a
timeline of September 1, 2021, for the
promulgation of the anti open grazing law in all member States; and 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.
“On PIB law, the Forum commends the National Assembly for
the progress made in the passage of the PIB; the Forum rejects the proposed three
percent and support the five percent share of the oil revenue to the host
community as recommended by the House of Representatives; the forum also
rejects the proposed 30 percent share of profit for the exploration of oil and
gas in the basins.
“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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