The Southern Governors Forum (SGF) and the Southern Nigeria Traditional Rulers Council on Wednesday jointly passed a Vote of Confidence in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, praising his leadership, reform agenda, and efforts to safeguard national stability amid escalating security challenges.
The resolution was part of a detailed communiqué issued at the end of a high-level regional meeting held in Ogun State. Governor Dapo Abiodun, who hosted the session and chairs the SGF, read the communiqué on behalf of the forum.
The governors expressed concern over what they described as orchestrated attempts to sow division in the region through disinformation and fear-mongering. They reassured citizens that the South remains united and committed to peaceful coexistence across religious, ethnic, and cultural lines.
The SGF reaffirmed its longstanding support for a Southern President—recalling the 2021 Asaba Accord—and reiterated its backing of President Tinubu as the legitimate symbol of Southern leadership and national unity.
Commitment to Regional Cohesion
The governors and traditional rulers resolved to continue speaking with one voice, advancing the collective interests of the region while collaborating closely with the Federal Government to foster peace, prosperity, and sustainable development.
The meeting recorded strong attendance, including Governors Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos), Siminalayi Fubara (Rivers), Alex Otti (Abia), Biodun Oyebanji (Ekiti), Francis Nwifuru (Ebonyi), Peter Mbah (Enugu), Charles Soludo (Anambra), and Lucky Aiyedatiwa (Ondo). Deputy governors represented Osun, Oyo, Cross River, and Edo states.
Traditional rulers present included the Dein of Agbor, Benjamin Ikenchukwu Keagborekuzi; the Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo; the Akarigbo of Remoland, Oba Babatunde Ajayi; the Olu of Ilaro, Oba Kehinde Olugbenle; the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Akeem Owoade; and the Olota of Ota, Oba Adeyemi Obalanlege, among others.
Security chiefs from the Nigerian Army, Police, DSS, and NSCDC also delivered extensive briefings on the prevailing security climate across the southern region, highlighting equipment shortages, manpower gaps, intelligence challenges, and the need for stronger coordination with state authorities.
Key Security Resolutions
Following a comprehensive review of the regional security landscape, the forum adopted sweeping measures aimed at strengthening security cooperation and response capacity across Southern Nigeria:
• Creation of Zonal Security Funds:
Each geopolitical zone in the South will establish a dedicated fund to support security operations, logistics, and capacity building. Monthly zonal meetings of Security Advisers will also be institutionalized.
• Enhanced Intelligence and Communication Infrastructure:
Governors agreed on a new intelligence-sharing framework backed by modern communications and surveillance technologies for real-time monitoring. Member states will jointly invest in equipment that ensures seamless cross-border communication within and between the South-West, South-East, and South-South zones.
• Renewed Advocacy for State Police:
The forum reiterated that state policing remains a constitutional imperative necessary to strengthen community-based security and effectively combat emerging threats.
• Unified Resident Identification System:
States will work with the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) to establish a harmonized resident identification programme to enhance security tracking and planning.
• Support for Regional and Local Security Outfits:
Governors pledged increased equipment, logistics, and operational support for regional security networks, hunter groups, and community surveillance units.
• Land Governance and Regulation of Mining Activities:
States were urged to partner with traditional rulers to ensure responsible land allocation and prevent security breaches linked to uncontrolled land use. The forum also committed to combating illegal mining, citing its ecological and security implications.
• Strengthening Traditional Councils:
Member states will provide greater financial and operational support to traditional institutions, enabling them to play a stronger role in governance, mediation, and security.
