IPERU-REMO – In a significant show of regional unity, the Southern Governors’ Forum, in a joint session with the Southern Nigeria Traditional Rulers Council, has passed a vote of confidence in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, endorsing his leadership and reaffirming their support for his presidency.
The meeting, held at the residence of the Forum’s Chairman and Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, also resulted in a firm, unified demand for the establishment of state police, which the governors described as a “constitutional imperative.”
The Forum, comprising governors and deputy governors from the South-West, South-East, and South-South zones, alongside revered traditional rulers, convened to address pressing issues of security and regional cooperation.
In a communiqué issued at the end of the closed-door meeting, the Forum commended President Tinubu’s economic reforms, noting “gains in foreign exchange stabilization” and a “sustained reduction in inflation.” They also praised his administration’s transformative infrastructure projects and commitment to rebuilding the nation’s security forces.
Key Security Resolutions
Following comprehensive briefings from security chiefs, the Forum announced a multi-pronged strategy to combat insecurity in the region. Key resolutions include:
1. Creation of a Zonal Security Fund: Each geopolitical zone in the South is to establish a dedicated fund, supported by member states, to finance zonal security operations and capacity building.
2. Enhanced Intelligence Sharing: The Forum adopted a new intelligence-sharing framework and resolved that states within each zone will jointly invest in modern communication equipment for real-time coordination across state lines.
3. Advocacy for State Police: Reiterating a long-standing position, the Forum declared that the success of community-based security outfits underscores the urgent need for constitutional amendment to create state police.
4. Support for Regional Outfits: The Forum pledged to enhance the capabilities of local security outfits, including hunter associations, by providing equipment and logistical support.
5. Crackdown on Illegal Activities: States were urged to partner with traditional rulers to regulate land allocation and combat illegal mining, which has caused ecological damage and security risks.
Strengthening Traditional Institutions
A central outcome of the meeting was the formal integration of traditional rulers into the regional security architecture. The Forum encouraged all member states to incorporate traditional rulers into their state security councils, recognizing their critical role as grassroots intelligence assets.
The communiqué also contained a strong political message, recalling the 2021 “Asaba Accord” where Southern Governors advocated for a President of Southern extraction. The Forum “restates its support for a Southern President and in the person of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.”
Finally, the Forum moved to dispel narratives of division, reassuring all citizens that Southern Nigeria remains “united, indivisible, and committed to peaceful co-existence,” and pledged to continue advancing the collective interests of the region.
