By Akinwale Kasali
Just like its counterparts in the South West and South East came up with Amotekun and Ebube Agu Security outfits to complement the efforts of the Security forces in the region in protecting lives, properties and external warfares, the South South Governors Forum also known as ‘BRACED Governors’ is set to float its own..
The Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa led South- South Governors Forum has approved a regional Security Outfit that is to floated soon.
According Governor Okowa, this was part of the resolution reached at the end of their meeting held at Government House, Port Harcourt, Rivers State yesterday, Monday 4th October, 2021.
In a communique jointly signed by the Governors – Godwin Obaseki of Edo State, host, Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State, Governor Duoye Diri of Bayelsa State, and Emmanuel Udom of Akwa Ibom State – the BRACED Governors unanimously supported states on the collection of Valued Added Tax (VAT) and agreed to join the suit at the Supreme Court.
Governor Ben Ayade of Cross Rivers State was absent. Incidentally, he is the only Governor in the Zone that is of the All Progressives Congress, APC, having recently decamped from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. He sent no representative, either.
The Forum called on President Muhammadu Buhari and the National Assembly (The Senate and House of Representatives) to review some unfair aspects of the recently signed Petroleum Industry Bill, which has become an act.
“Bearing in mind that most of the BRACED states have established their state security’s organs, we approved the regional security architecture, which will be launched very soon. Unequivocally support the decisions of states to collect Valued Added Tax and resolved to join the suit at the Supreme Court”, the BRACED Governors said.
While Amotekun got off to a flying start with the support of the people of the South-west, Ebubeagu is like a stillborn child having been black from the onset by the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra, IPOB, as anti Igbo aspirations, and a collaborator of the Federal Government to persecute the Igbo and frame Igbo youths.
