In a meeting held at the Lagos House, Alausa, Ikeja, the South-West Governors’ Forum reaffirmed their call for the establishment of state police to combat the increasing insecurity in Nigeria.
The forum elected Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu as the new Chairman, following the tenure of the late Ondo State Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu.
Present at the meeting were governors Seyi Makinde (Oyo), Ademola Adeleke (Osun), Lucky Aiyedatiwa (Ondo), Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), Biodun Oyebanji (Ekiti), and Sanwo-Olu. The forum also introduced a regional anthem, “Ise wa fun ile wa.”
The forum expressed satisfaction with the “relative peace in the South-West region” and emphasized the importance of collaboration between all security agencies and the Amotekun Corps. In a communique issued post-meeting, the governors “reaffirmed full support for State Police,” despite opposition from the Inspector General of Police, Olukayode Egbetokun, who argued that Nigeria was not ready for such a development.
The Lagos State House of Assembly had previously countered Egbetokun’s stance, directing the Clerk to communicate their rejection to the IG and the National Assembly, maintaining their endorsement for state police.
In addition to security concerns, the forum praised the House of Representatives and the South-West Caucus for their efforts in advancing the South-West Development Commission Bill, urging the Senate for its swift passage. They also lauded President Bola Tinubu for initiating significant infrastructure projects, including the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road and the proposed Lagos to Sokoto road, while advocating for the rehabilitation of other federal roads in the region.
The governors condemned the activities of those agitating for a Yoruba nation, referencing the recent arraignment of 29 agitators in Oyo State and the demolition of their operational building.
On the topic of minimum wage, the forum aligned with the Federal Government, the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), and the Organized Private Sector in discussions with the Labour Union, supporting a fiscally responsible outcome. This comes after the NGF rejected a proposed N60,000 minimum wage, citing unsustainable fiscal impacts on states.
The ongoing dialogue on minimum wage continues as organized labour remains firm in rejecting proposed wages between N62,000 and N100,000, labeling them insufficient to meet the cost of living.
