Speaking with reporters at the end of the meeting, Abiodun thanked his colleagues for electing him as the leader of the forum.
By Jeffrey Agbo
Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun has been elected chairman of the Southern Governors’ Forum.
Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Soludo also emerged as the vice chairman at a meeting of the forum held on Monday at the Presidential Lodge, GRA Ibara, Abeokuta.
Sixteen out of the 17 governors who constitute the Southern Governors Forum attended the meeting. Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara was the only absentee.
While some governors were physically present at the meeting, some were represented by their deputies.
The governors that attended the meeting include: Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos), Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), Seyi Makinde (Oyo), Biodun Oyebanji (Ekiti), Alex Otti (Abia), Godwin Obaseki (Edo), Ademola Adeleke (Osun), Bassey Otu (Cross River).
Other governors in attendance were Chukwuma Soludo (Anambra), Francis Nwifuru (Ebonyi), Peter Mbah (Enugu), Duoye Diri (Bayelsa) and Uno Eno (Akwa Ibom).
Also on ground to represent their governors were Deputy Governors Chinyere Ekomaru (Imo), Monday Onyeme (Delta) and Olayide Adelami (Ondo).
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Speaking with reporters at the end of the meeting, Abiodun thanked his colleagues for electing him as the leader of the forum.
He said, “It is indeed an honour and a humble one at that, that I have been nominated to lead the Southern Governors’ Forum, alongside 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 the determination to ensure that the southern states occupy their place of pride.
“I also want to thank them for this confidence so reposed in myself and Professor Soludo and pledged that we will ensure that this confidence is justified.
“We have discussed a whole ranging number of issues but because of time constraints, myself and Governor Soludo will make available to you pressmen the details of our communique that reflects our aspirations, our determination and the new and repositioned Southern Governors’ Forum.”
