Southern Governors Meet, Unite Against Divided Nigeria |The Source

By Ayodele Oni

Governors in the Southern part of the country under the Southern Nigeria Governors Forum on Tuesday evening, voted against any attempt to  divide  Nigeria.

In a virtual meeting, the Governors deliberated on the present state of the Nation and resolved that the country must be placed first before any other consideration.

It was gathered that the meeting  was at the instance of Governors Rotimi Akeredolu, Ondo; Ifeanyi Okowa, Delta; and David Umahi of Ebonyi.

The three Governors are Chairmen of the Southwest, South South and South East Governors’ Forums respectively too.

Fifteen of the 17 Governors from the Southern part attended the meeting.

They are; Ekiti State Governor who doubles as Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, Dr Kayode Fayemi, Nyesom Wike(Rivers), Ifeanyi Okowa(Delta), David Umahi(Ebonyi), Godwin Obaseki,(Edo), and Lolo Cecilia Ezeilo(Deputy Governor of Enugu representing the governor).

Others are: Douye Diri(Bayelsa), Emmanuel Udom(Akwa Ibom), Okezie Victor Ikpeazu(Abia), Hope Uzodimma(Imo), Dapo Abiodun(Ogun), Gboyega Oyetola (Osun), Seyi Makinde(Oyo) and Babajide Sanwo-Olu(Lagos).

They resolved that commitment and unity were essential in addressing issues that affect the country, particularly the Southern Nigeria.

According to them, Nigeria must be considered first in the face of the trying times.

The Governors agreed to meet in Asaba, the Delta State Capital, next week, to harmonize positions aimed at dousing the tension in the country.

One of the Governors from the South South, who described the meeting as timely and long overdue, commended the step by the Governors to rally support to tackle insecurity.

“The three Governors, especially, the Chairman of the Southwest Governors Forum, have provided good leadership and direction to the extent that a proper path to confidence building has been laid.

“It is coming a bit late, but it has largely shown that there are still leaders who think of the nation’s unity first before any other.

“The kernel of the meeting was that Nigeria is too important to let into conflagration. It’s a good move, no doubt.”