Southern Govs demand restructuring, Nigeria based on justice, ban on open grazing

By Ishaya Ibrahim, News Editor

Governors of the 17 southern states of Nigeria rose from a two-hour historic meeting in Asaba, Delta State capital, on Tuesday, with a resolve to ban open grazing and movement of cows by foot in their three geopolitical zones.

The governors also demanded restructuring, review of revenue allocation formula in favour of the sub-national governments and convocation of a national dialogue as a matter of urgency.

A communiqué read by chairman of the Forum and Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akerdeolu, said while the peoples of Southern Nigeria remain committed to the unity of the country, it must be a Nigeria based on justice, fairness, equity, oneness and peaceful co-existence between and among its peoples with a focus on the attainment of shared goals for economic development and prosperity.

The governors, who 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 resolved that open gazing of cattle be banned across Southern Nigeria.

Noting 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, the governors said it has become “imperative to enforce the ban on open grazing in the South (including cattle movement to the South by foot),” and “recommended that the Federal Government should support willing States to develop alternative and modern livestock management systems.”

The governors further 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 … and creation of other institittions which legitimately advance our commitment to and practice of true federalism.”

The governors 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.”

They also recommended that in deference to the sensitivities of the various peoples that make up the country, there was the need to review appointments into the Federal Government agencies, including security agencies, to reflect federal character as Nigeria’s overall population is heterogeneous.

They called on President Muhammadu Buhari to address Nigerians over the worsening security situation in the country so as to restore confidence amongst peoples of Southern Nigeria.

The communiqué also resolved to foster cooperation amongst the Southern States.

It expressed concern over the gridlock on the Oshodi/Apapa expressway and recommended the establishment of ports in other States of the federation to promote socio-economic activities in the country.

It expressed alarm over the implication of another lockdown, urging better coordination between federal and State governments in dealing with the Covid-19 pandemic.

Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma and his Akwa Ibom counterpart Emmanuel Udom, were represented by their deputies, Prof Placid Njoku and Moses Ekpo respectively.

Present at the meeting were Governors Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti); Nyesom Wike (Rivers); Godwin Obaseki (Edo); Dapo Abiodun (Ogun); Seyi Makinde (Oyo) and Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos).

Others were: Douye Diri (Bayelsa); Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia), Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi ( Enugu), Ifeanyi Okowa (Delta), Rotimi Akerodolu (Ondo), Willie Obiano (Anambra) and David Umahi ( Ebonyi).