By Ayobami Ife, Abeokuta
Southern Governors met in Abeokuta, the Ogun State on Monday and appointed their host, Governor Dapo Abiodun the Chairman of the Southern Governors Forum.
At the meeting within Presidential lodge, Government Reservation Area Ibara Abeokuta, the Governor of Anambra State, Professor Charles Soludo, also emerged as the Vice Chairman.
The emergence of the Abiodun and Soludo followed the decision reached at the end of the meeting of the forum, the Lagos state Governor, Babajide Sanwoolu, said while announcing the emergence of Abiodun and Soludo as leaders of the Forum.
In attendance at the meeting include Babajide Sanwoolu (Lagos), Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), Seyi Makinde (Oyo), Biodun Oyebanji (Ekiti), Alex Otti (Abia), Godwin Obaseki (Edo), Ademola Adeleke (Osun), Bassey Otu (Cross River).
Others were Charles Soludo (Anambra), Francis Nwifuru (Ebonyi), Peter Mbah (Enugu), Duoye Diri (Bayelsa) and Uno Eno (Akwa Ibom).
The Rivers State Governor, Similayi Fubara was absent. He also did not send a representative.
However, these deputy governors – Chinyere Ekomaru (Imo), Monday Onyeme (Delta) and Olayide Adelami (Ondo)
physically represented their bosses.
Speaking with reporters after the meeting, Abiodun lauded his colleagues, for electing him as the Chairman of the forum.
He said, “It is indeed an honour and a humble one at that, that I have been nominated to lead the Southern Governors’ Forum, along side with Professor Charles Soludo, the Governor of Anambra State as the Vice Chairman of this forum.
“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 by their pride of place.
“I also want to thank them for this confidence so reposed in myself and Professor 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 Governor Soludo will available to you pressmen the details of our communique that reflects our aspirations, our determination and the new and repositioned Southern Governors’ Forum.”
