Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun has been elected as the new Chairman of the Southern Governors’ Forum to replace the late former Governor of Ondo State, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu.
Similarly, Anambra State governor, Professor Chukwuma Soludo emerged as the Vice Chairman of the Forum.
Governors Abiodun and Soludo’s elections were part of the decision reached at the end of the meeting of the Forum held at the Presidential Lodge, GRA Ibara, Abeokuta, the state’s capital.
Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwoolu announced the emergence of the two governors as leaders of the Southern governors.
Sixteen out of the 17 governors that constituted the Forum attended the meeting with only Rivers State Governor, Similayi Fubara, who was absent at the meeting.
While some governors, were physically present at the meeting, some were represented by their deputies.
The governors that attended 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).
Other governors in attendance were Charles Soludo (Anambra), Francis Nwifuru (Ebonyi), Peter Mbah (Enugu), Duoye Diri (Bayelsa) and Uno Eno (Akwa Ibom).
Also on ground to represent their governors were Deputy Governors Chinyere Ekomaru (Imo), Monday Onyeme (Delta) and Olayide Adelami (Ondo).
Speaking with journalists at the end of the meeting, Abiodun commended his colleagues for electing him as the Chairman of the forum.
“It is indeed an honour and a humble one at that, that I have been nominated to lead the Southern Governors’ Forum, alongside 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 make available to you pressmen the details of our communique that reflects our aspirations, our determination and the new and repositioned Southern Governors’ Forum,” Governor Abiodun said.
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