Convoke National Dialogue, South Tells Buhari, Ohanaeze, Afenifere Back Governors
Governors in the 17 states of the southern Nigeria on Tuesday demanded that the President, Muhammadu Buhari should address the country on mounting security challenges and restore the confidence of the people. The governors held a meeting in Asaba, Delta State chaired by the Governor of Ondo State, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, resolved to ban open Grazing in their domains. The group, in a 12 point resolution, urged Buhari to convoke a national dialogue as a matter of urgency. They also demanded that steps be taken towards the restructuring of the country, saying state police had become a necessity. The southern governors expressed very grave concern on the security challenge currently plaguing the nation and strongly urged that Mr. President should address Nigerians on the challenges of insecurity and restore the confidence of our people. The southern governors also expressed concern on the economic implications of another lockdown on the country, and suggested greater coordination and cooperation between federal and state governments in evolving strategies for dealing with the pandemic. The meeting was hosted by the Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa.
Meanwhile, different socio cultural groups in the South supported the governors’ call for restructuring, national dialogue and a state of the nation address by the President. The pan Yoruba socio political organisation Afenifere, said the demands by the governors were long overdue. The Pan Niger Delta Forum PANDEF backs open grazing ban, declared support for the decisions reached by the governors especially on the issue of restructuring. Ohanaeze applauded the southern governors for coming together and says national dialogue is inevitable.
