The 17 governors in the Southern part of the country under the aegis of Southern Nigeria Governors Forum are meeting today in Asaba, Delta State, with insecurity and secession among issues forming the focal points. It is described as an emergency make or mar meeting for the future of the region and Nigeria at large.
The governors had last week met virtually at the behest of Ondo State Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN), Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa and Ebonyi State Governor, David Umahi, as chairmen of the governors forum in the Southwest, South-South and Southeast respectively.
At their meeting last week, the governors iterated the need for the unity of the nation amidst divisive tendencies threatening the survival of the country, especially the clamor for secession in the southern regions.
Though the details of last Tuesday’s meeting and agenda for today’s are still sketchy, it was garnered from sources that the resolutions at the end of the meeting today will harmonise their positions to stabilise the nation.
According to a source, the attendance of all the governors in last week’s meeting showed the resolve of the governors to find a lasting solution to the present threat of insecurity, leading to calls for secession.
Only the Anambra State Governor, Willie Obiano, who is from the lone opposition party in the country, APGA, and Cross River Governor, Benedict Ayade, were absent from last week’s virtual meeting.
There are nine Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governors, seven All Progressives Congress (APC) governors and only one All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) in the 17 states. Only the Anambra State Governor, Willie Obiano, who is from the lone opposition party in the country, APGA, and Cross River Governor, Benedict Ayade, were absent from last week’s virtual meeting. [The Guardian]
