Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun of the All Progressives Congress (APC), yesterday, emerged as Chairman of the Southern Governors’ Forum (SGF).
The SGF is the umbrella body of all the 17 governors in South-West, South-South and South-East geo-political zones of Nigeria. Abiodun was voted by 16 governors in attendance at the meeting held at the Presidential Lodge, Ibara Housing Estate, Abeokuta, the state capital, while Anambra State Governor, Charles Soludo of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) was elected as deputy chairman of the Forum.
He succeeded the late Ondo State governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, who until his demise last year December was the chairman of the Forum and also of South-West Governors’ Forum.
It was earlier expected that the seat would be well contested for among the APC and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) governors. While the PDP has more governors in the region with Labour Party (LP) and All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) having one governor each, most of the governors of the PDP are not on two-term tenure except Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State.
Makinde is, however, the incumbent Deputy Chairman of Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF). There was also consideration that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who was initially expected to succeed Akeredolu, had to step down having emerged as the Chairman of South-West Governors’ Forum (SWGF) a few weeks ago.
As at the time of filing this report, the communique of yesterday’s meeting has not been released. Abiodun, after his emergence, said: “It is indeed an honour and a humble one at that, that I have been nominated to lead the Southern Governors’ Forum with Soludo, the Governor of Anambra State.”
“I first want to thank all the 17 governors for coming to Abeokuta today for this meeting, the first meeting after about three years. It underscores the commitment and determination to ensure that the southern states occupy their pride of place.
“I also want to thank them for this confidence so reposed in myself and Prof. Soludo and pledged that we will ensure that this confidence is justified.
“We have discussed a whole ranging number of issues but because of time constraints, myself and Soludo will be available to press the details of our communique that reflects our aspirations, determination and the new and repositioned Southern Governors’ Forum.”
