Governors from the southern region have unanimously agreed that the next President of Nigeria should emerge from the region, puncturing the ambition of prominent politicians from the North.
The governors under the aegis of Southern Governors Forum (SGF) made their stance known on Monday after a closed-door meeting which lasted for about five hours in Lagos state.
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The decision of the 17 governors – drawn from three different political parties- to unanimously agree that the president should come from the South in 2023 is seen as a landmark decision. The ruling All Progressives Congress, APC has eight governors from the region, same as the main opposition, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP while the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA has one governor.
“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 noted in the communique.
If this decision comes into fruition, it would have ended the ambition of key politicians in the North that have shown interest in contesting the 2023 presidential election.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar from Adamawa state, former governor Alhaji Rabiu Kwankwaso from Kano state, Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi state and Governor Aminu Tambuwal from Sokoto state are among major contenders for the 2023 presidential poll. Others are Governor Bala Mohammed from Bauchi state and former Governor Ahmed Sani Yarima from Zamfara state.
However, Former governor of Lagos state, Bola Tinubu, governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti state, Governor Dave Umahi of Ebonyi state, former governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo state, Minister of Transportation and former governor of Rivers state, Rotimi Amaechi and Donald Duke, the former governor of Cross River state are among Southern politicians who are said to be eyeing the number one position in the country.
Constitutional lawyer, Akinwale Akinlawon said the decision of the governors is not binding and cannot stop interested politicians from the North or other region from contesting the election.
“The constitution does not provide for rotational presidency. It is an agreement by political parties to rotate the presidency. Anyone nominated by a political party can vie for any position,” he added
On the state of insecurity, the governors re-emphasised the need for State Police; urging the Federal government not to be sentimental in administration of criminal justice. They also commiserated with families and loved ones of those who have fallen in the line of duty.
The forum also resolved that if for any reason security institutions need to undertake an operation in any State, the Chief Security Officer of the State, which is the governor must be duly informed.
As a follow up to the previous meeting in Asaba, the governors set a timeline of September 1, 2021 for the promulgation of the anti-open grazing law in all member States. The governors had announced total ban on open grazing in the region during the Asaba meeting.
In order to consolidate democracy and strengthen the electoral process, the Southern Governors’ Forum rejected the removal of the electronic transmission of the election result from the electoral act; and also rejected the confirmation of exclusive jurisdiction in pre-election matters on the Federal High Court.
The National Assembly recently excluded electronic transmission of result from the proposed electoral act.
The Forum unanimously chose Lagos State as its permanent secretariat and appreciated the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu for hosting the meeting and for his good works in the State.
Governors who attended the meeting are the Chairman of the forum and Governor of Ondo State, Rotimi Akeredolu; Ogun State governor, Dapo Abiodun; Gboyega Oyetola of Osun State; Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta; Rivers’ Nyesom Wike; Seyi Makinde of Oyo State; Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State; Douye Diri of Bayelsa State, Enugu’s Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi and Emmanuel Udom of Akwa Ibom.
While the Governors Anambra and Cross River were absent, that of Edo, Imo, Abia and Ebonyi States were represented by their Deputies.
