Governors of the southern states of Nigeria, under the aegis of the Southern Governors’ Forum (SGF), met in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, today, to discuss issues affecting the region.
The Southern Governors Forum (SGF) is the collective body for the 17 governors from the South-West, South-South and South-East geopolitical zones.
The meeting, which took place at the Presidential Lodge, Ibara Housing Estate, was the first one after the death of the former governor of Ondo State, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, on 27 December, 2023.
Present at the meeting were Governors Ademola Adeleke (Osun), Seyi Makinde (Oyo), Godwin Obaseki (Edo), Bassey Otu (Cross River), Alex Otti (Abia), Biodun Oyebanji (Ekiti), Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos), Charles Soludo (Anambra) and Umo Eno (Akwa Ibom).
However, the governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, was conspicuously absent and neither was his deputy present at the meeting.
The deputy governors present at the meeting included Olayide Adelami, Chinyere Ekomaru and Monday Onyeme of Ondo, Imo and Delta states, respectively.
Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, said the meeting centred on issues affecting the region in particular and the country in general.
Meanwhile, Prince Dapo Abiodun, the governor of Ogun State has emerged as the new chairman, Southern Governors’ Forum, while Governor Charles Soludo of Anambra State was elected as the vice chairman of the forum.
Governor Abiodun took over the mantle of leadership of the SGF after the death of Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu.
The governors had a closed-door meeting that lasted about five hours, just as Governor Abiodun said it was a honour to be elected the chairman of the SGF.
Briefing newsmen after the meeting, he said: “It is indeed an honour, and a humble one at that, that I have been nominated to lead the Southern Governors’ Forum, along with Professor Charles Soludo, the governor of Anambra State, as the vice chairman of this forum.
“I first want to thank all the governors, the 17 governors, for coming to Abeokuta today for this meeting, the first meeting after about three years. It underscores the commitment and determination to ensure that the southern states occupy their pride of place.
“I also want to thank them for this confidence so reposed in myself and Professor Soludo and pledged that we would ensure that this confidence was justified.
“We have discussed a whole range of issues, but because of time constraints, myself and Governor Soludo will make available to you pressmen the details of our communique that reflect our aspirations, our determination and the new and repositioned Southern Governors’ Forum.”
