by Nurat Uthman
The Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, was, on Monday, elected the Chairman of the Southern Governors’ Forum.
His Anambra State counterpart, Prof Charles Soludo, emerged as the Vice Chairman of the forum.
The Southern Governors’ Forum serves as the umbrella body for the 17 governors from the South-West, South-South, and South-East geopolitical zones of Nigeria.
Abiodun succeeds the former governor of Ondo State, Mr Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN), who died in December last year.
In attendance at the meeting of the governors held in Abeokuta, Ogun State, on Monday, was Abiodun of Ogun State, Soludo, Anambra; Godwin Obaseki, Edo; Seyi Makinde, Oyo; Alex Otii, Abia; Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Lagos; Ademola Adeleke, Osun; Francis Nwifuru, Ebonyi; Peter Mbah, Enugu; Douye Diri, Bayelsa; Umo Eno, Akwa Ibom; Biodun Oyebanji, Ekiti and Bassey Out of Cross River State.
The Imo State Deputy Governor, Chinyere Ekomaru, represented Governor Hope Uzodimma; Delta State Deputy Governor, Monday Onyeme, represented Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and the Ondo State Deputy Governor, Olayide Adelami, represented Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa.
Only Rivers State has no representative as neither Governor Siminalayi Fubara nor his deputy was present at the meeting.
The governors held a closed-door meeting which lasted about five hours at the Presidential Lodge, Abeokuta.
Briefing newsmen after the meeting, Abiodun described his choice as the next chairman of the forum alongside Prof Soludo, as an honour he would forever appreciate.
“I first want to thank all the governors, the 17 governors for coming to Abeokuta today for this meeting, the first meeting after about three years. It underscores the commitment and the 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 the time constraints, myself and Governor Soludo will make available to you newsmen, the details of our communique that reflects our aspirations, our determination, and the new and repositioned Southern Governors’ Forum,” he said.
