On Monday, Prince Dapo Abiodun, Governor of Ogun State, was elected Chairman of the Southern Governors Forum. Anambra State Governor, Professor Charles Soludo, was chosen as Vice Chairman.
This announcement came at the conclusion of the Southern Governors Forum meeting held at the Presidential Lodge in GRA Ibara, Abeokuta. The new leadership was revealed by Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
The meeting saw attendance from 16 out of the 17 governors in the forum, with only Rivers State Governor, Similayi Fubara, absent. Some governors attended in person while others sent their deputies.
The governors present included Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos), Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), Seyi Makinde (Oyo), Biodun Oyebanji (Ekiti), Alex Otti (Abia), Godwin Obaseki (Edo), Ademola Adeleke (Osun), and Bassey Otu (Cross River). Also in attendance were Charles Soludo (Anambra), Francis Nwifuru (Ebonyi), Peter Mbah (Enugu), Duoye Diri (Bayelsa), and Umo Eno (Akwa Ibom). Deputy governors representing their states were Chinyere Ekomaru (Imo), Monday Onyeme (Delta), and Olayide Adelami (Ondo).
After the meeting, Abiodun expressed gratitude for his election as Chairman. He said, “It is indeed an honor and a humble one at that, that I have been nominated to lead the Southern Governors’ Forum, alongside 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 their pride of place.
“I also want to thank them for this confidence so reposed in myself and Professor Soludo and pledge that we will ensure that this confidence is justified.
“We have discussed a whole range 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.”
