Southern govs: DSS, police, others must seek permission before operations

By Egena Sunday Ode

Governors of the Southern states have demanded that security agencies must take permission before conducting any operation in their domains.
In a communique issued at a meeting in Lagos yesterday, the governors, under the auspices of Southern Governors Forum, insisted that as chief security officers of their respective states, they deserved to be informed of any security operation about to be undertaken in their states.
According to the communique, the governors frowned at what they described as selective administration of criminal justice, saying that arrests should be made within the ambit of the law and human rights.
“The Forum reviewed the security situation in the country and commends security operatives for their relentless efforts in restoring security and safety and commiserates with families and loved ones of those who have fallen in the line of duty;
“Resolved that if for any reason security institutions need to undertake an operation in any State, the Chief Security Officer of the State must be duly informed;
“The forum frowns at selective criminal administration of Justice and resolved that arrests should be made within the ambit of the Law and fundamental human rights,” the communique said.
Signed by the Governor of Ondo State and Chairman of Southern Governors Forum, Rorimi Akeredolu, the communique also “set a timeline of Wednesday, 1st September, 2021 for the promulgation of the anti open grazing law in all member States.”
The Southern Governors Forum, according to the communique, also demanded that the 2023 presidency should be ceded to the region for equity and fairness.
The communique said the governors “Re-affirmed their commitment to the unity of Nigeria on the pillars of equity, fairness, justice, progress and peaceful co-existence between and amongst its people.
“The Forum reiterates its commitment to the politics of equity, fairness and unanimously agrees that the presidency of Nigeria be rotated between Southern and Northern Nigeria and resolved that the next president of Nigeria should emerge from the Southern Region.”
On the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) recently passed by the Senate, the :
forum commended the National Assembly for the progress made in its passage but rejected the proposed 3% and support the 5% share of the oil revenue to the host community as recommended by the House of Representatives.
“The forum also rejects the proposed 30% share of profit for the exploration of oil and gas in the basins,” the communique noted.
“In order to consolidate our democracy and strengthen the Electoral process, the Southern Governors’ Forum reject the removal of the Electronic transmission of the election result from the Electoral Act; and also rejects the confirmation of exclusive jurisdiction in pre-election matters on the Federal High Court,” the communique said.