SOUTHERN GOVERNORS CALL FOR RESTRUCTURING, STATE POLICE, CONVOCATION OF NATIONAL DIALOGUE AS PANACEA FOR CONTINUED PEACE AND UNITY OF NIGERIA.

By Mike ALADENIKA.

Seventeen southern governors of both the ruling APC and the PDP converged on Asaba, Delta State to discuss the state of Nigerian Nation.  

Arising from the meeting, the governors, in a communique issued and signed by the seventeen governors in attendance, declared that the federal government should,as a matter of urgency, convene a National dialogue where issues of interest such as revenue sharing formula, security and state police will be considered and mutually decided upon. 

In the communique "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.

They further "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;

The southern governors also "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 federal character as Nigeria's overall

population is heterogenous

While  expressing  "very grave concern on the security challenge currently plaguing the nation", the governors  "strongly urged that Mr. President should address Nigerians on the challenges of insecurity and restore the confidence of our people"

On the issue of farmers and herders conflict in southern Nigeria, the governors resolved "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 Nigería".

According to the govenors, "the 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)"

While "recommending that the Federal Government support WILLING States to develop alternative and modern

livestock management systems;

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"

#SPARKNEWSNAIJA(SNN)

+2348180442222(WhatsApp only)