Insecurity: Southern Governors Ban Open Grazing, Ask Buhari To Address Nation

…call for the convocation of dialogue
…insist on Federal character
…reiterate Southerner’s commitment to Nigeria’s unity

WORRIED by the rising rate of insecurity, Southern Governors,
Tuesday, met in Asaba, the Delta State capital and called on
President Muhammadu Buhari to address the nation on the spate of
insecurity in the country.

The Governors in the meeting which started at about 12 noon and
ended about 4:20 pm, urged the Federal Government to convocated a
national dialogue as a matter of urgency and insisted on the ban of
open grazing across Southern Nigeria.

The Governors in the 12 point communique read by the Chairman of
Southern Governors Forum, Governor Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu
of Ondo State, “affirmed that the peoples of Southern Nigeria
remain committed to the unity of Nigeria on the basis of justice,
fairness, equity and oneness and peaceful co-existence between and
among its peoples with a focus on the attainment of shared goals
for economic development and prosperity.

“Observed that the incursion of armed herders, criminals and
bandits into the Southern part of the country has presented a
severe security challenge such that citizens are not able to live
their normal lives including pursuing various productive activities
leading to a threat to food supply and general security.

“Consequently, the meeting resolved that open grazing of cattle
be banned across Southern Nigeria; noted that development and
population growth has put pressure on available land and increased
the prospects of conflict between migrating herders and local
populations in the South.

“Given this scenario, it becomes imperative to enforce the ban
on open grazing in the South (including cattle movement to the
South by foot); recommended that the Federal Government should
support willing States to develop alternative and modern livestock
management systems.

“Agreed that the progress of the nation requires that urgent and
bold steps be taken to restructure the Nigerian Federation leading
to the evolution of state police, review of revenue allocation
formula in favour of the sub-national governments and creation of
other institutions which legitimately advance our commitment to and
practice of true federalism.

“Recommended that in view of widespread agitations among our
various peoples for greater inclusiveness in existing governance
arrangements, the Federal Government should convoke a national
dialogue as a matter of urgency; recommended that in deference to
the sensitivities of our various peoples, there is need to review
appointments into Federal Government Agencies (including Security
Agencies) to reflect the federal character as Nigeria’s overall
population is heterogenous.

“Resolved to foster cooperation among the Southern States and
the nation at large; expressed concern on the continued gridlock on
the Oshodi – Apapa Expressway and the chokehold it has exerted on
the nation’s economy being the sole outlet from Apapa Wharf.

“The meeting, therefore, recommended the activation and
establishment of ports in other states of the federation to create
new jobs and promote socio-economic activities in the country; the
meeting expressed concern on the economic implications of another
lockdown on the country, and therefore suggested greater
coordination and cooperation between Federal and State Governments
in evolving strategies for dealing with the pandemic.

“Expressed very grave concern on the security challenges
currently plaguing the nation and strongly urged that Mr President
should address Nigerians on the challenges of insecurity and
restore the confidence of our people; and

expressed gratitude to our host, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa for his
generosity and hospitality”.

Those in attendance are the host, Governors Ifeanyi Okowa of
Delta, Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia, Willi Obiano of Anambra, Douye Diri
of Bayelsa, Godwin Obaseki of Edo and David Umehi of Ebonyi.

Others are Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu, Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti,
Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos, Dapo Abiodun of Ogun, Rotimi Akeredolu
of Ondo State, Seyi Makinde of Oyo, Nyesom Wike of Rivers.

While Hope Uzodimma of Imo was represented by his deputy, Prof
Placcid Njoku, Udom Emmanuel of Akwa-Ibom by his Deputy, Mr Moses
Ekpo, Governors Gboyega Oyetola of Osun and Ben Ayade of Cross
River States were absent.

…call for the convocation of dialogue
…insist on Federal character
…reiterate Southerner’s commitment to Nigeria’s unity

WORRIED by the rising rate of insecurity, Southern Governors,
Tuesday, met in Asaba, the Delta State capital and called on
President Muhammadu Buhari to address the nation on the spate of
insecurity in the country.

The Governors in the meeting which started at about 12 noon and
ended about 4:20 pm, urged the Federal Government to convocated a
national dialogue as a matter of urgency and insisted on the ban of
open grazing across Southern Nigeria.

The Governors in the 12 point communique read by the Chairman of
Southern Governors Forum, Governor Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu
of Ondo State, “affirmed that the peoples of Southern Nigeria
remain committed to the unity of Nigeria on the basis of justice,
fairness, equity and oneness and peaceful co-existence between and
among its peoples with a focus on the attainment of shared goals
for economic development and prosperity.

“Observed that the incursion of armed herders, criminals and
bandits into the Southern part of the country has presented a
severe security challenge such that citizens are not able to live
their normal lives including pursuing various productive activities
leading to a threat to food supply and general security.

“Consequently, the meeting resolved that open grazing of cattle
be banned across Southern Nigeria; noted that development and
population growth has put pressure on available land and increased
the prospects of conflict between migrating herders and local
populations in the South.

“Given this scenario, it becomes imperative to enforce the ban
on open grazing in the South (including cattle movement to the
South by foot); recommended that the Federal Government should
support willing States to develop alternative and modern livestock
management systems.

“Agreed that the progress of the nation requires that urgent and
bold steps be taken to restructure the Nigerian Federation leading
to the evolution of state police, review of revenue allocation
formula in favour of the sub-national governments and creation of
other institutions which legitimately advance our commitment to and
practice of true federalism.

“Recommended that in view of widespread agitations among our
various peoples for greater inclusiveness in existing governance
arrangements, the Federal Government should convoke a national
dialogue as a matter of urgency; recommended that in deference to
the sensitivities of our various peoples, there is need to review
appointments into Federal Government Agencies (including Security
Agencies) to reflect the federal character as Nigeria’s overall
population is heterogenous.

“Resolved to foster cooperation among the Southern States and
the nation at large; expressed concern on the continued gridlock on
the Oshodi – Apapa Expressway and the chokehold it has exerted on
the nation’s economy being the sole outlet from Apapa Wharf.

“The meeting, therefore, recommended the activation and
establishment of ports in other states of the federation to create
new jobs and promote socio-economic activities in the country; the
meeting expressed concern on the economic implications of another
lockdown on the country, and therefore suggested greater
coordination and cooperation between Federal and State Governments
in evolving strategies for dealing with the pandemic.

“Expressed very grave concern on the security challenges
currently plaguing the nation and strongly urged that Mr President
should address Nigerians on the challenges of insecurity and
restore the confidence of our people; and

expressed gratitude to our host, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa for his
generosity and hospitality”.

Those in attendance are the host, Governors Ifeanyi Okowa of
Delta, Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia, Willi Obiano of Anambra, Douye Diri
of Bayelsa, Godwin Obaseki of Edo and David Umehi of Ebonyi.

Others are Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu, Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti,
Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos, Dapo Abiodun of Ogun, Rotimi Akeredolu
of Ondo State, Seyi Makinde of Oyo, Nyesom Wike of Rivers.

While Hope Uzodimma of Imo was represented by his deputy, Prof
Placcid Njoku, Udom Emmanuel of Akwa-Ibom by his Deputy, Mr Moses
Ekpo, Governors Gboyega Oyetola of Osun and Ben Ayade of Cross
River States were absent.