The Southern Governors Forum has rejected the removal of the Electronic transmission of the election result from the electoral act.
The forum also reject the confirmation of exclusive jurisdiction in pre-election matters on the Federal High Court.
The Forum however jointly agreed that rotational Presidency is the way forward and that the 2023 presidency should go to the south.
This was part of the decisions reached at the end of its meeting held on Monday, in Lagos.
Chairman of the Forum and Governor of Ondo State , Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, while reading from a communique jointly signed by the governors after a closed-door meeting said the forum agreed that the presidency should be rotated between the south and the north and that this should start from the south in 2023.
The governors also set September 21, 2021, as the deadline for the promulgation of anti-open grazing law among its member states.
The Governors 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.
“ 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.
While re-emphasising the need for State Police,the forum 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.
They also frowned at selective criminal administration of Justice and resolved that arrests should be made within the ambit of the Law and fundamental human rights.
The Governors also 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 the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) Law: The Forum commends the National Assembly for the progress made in the passage of the PIB but rejects the proposed 3% and support the 5% share of the oil revenue to the host community as recommended by the House of Representatives while also rejecting the proposed 30% 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’
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.
