Iperu-Remo, Ogun State – November 27, 2025
In a powerful demonstration of unity rarely seen in Nigeria’s often fractious political landscape, the seventeen governors of Southern Nigeria, alongside the region’s foremost traditional rulers, converged on Wednesday at the private residence of Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, in Iperu-Remo, Ikenne Local Government Area. The historic joint meeting of the Southern Governors’ Forum (SGF) and the Southern Nigeria Traditional Rulers Council (SNTRC) produced far-reaching resolutions aimed at confronting the escalating security crisis that has plagued the country.
The centrepiece of the deliberations was the formal establishment of a Zonal Security Fund and a sophisticated intelligence-sharing framework designed to operate across the three southern geopolitical zones: South-West, South-South, and South-East.
Speaking in his dual capacity as host and Chairman of the Southern Governors’ Forum, Prince Dapo Abiodun described the gathering as “a union defined by shared aspirations, common challenges, and a collective determination to build stability and prosperity for the people of Southern Nigeria.” He underscored the historical bonds that have long tied the region together, declaring, “It is this historical consciousness that must guide our collaborative efforts as we navigate the complex realities of our contemporary Nigerian federation.”
The governor did not mince words about the urgency of the moment. Citing the disturbing resurgence of mass abductions, kidnappings-for-ransom, and other forms of organised crime, he warned that “no region is insulated from organised criminality or violent extremism.” He insisted that only a coordinated, region-wide response could stem the tide.
Governors who personally attended the crucial session included Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers, Dr Alex Otti of Abia, Mr Biodun Oyebanji of Ekiti, Rt Hon Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi, Dr Peter Mbah of Enugu, Prof Charles Soludo of Anambra, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos, and Mr Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo. Deputy governors represented the remaining states: Engr Kola Adewusi (Osun), Prof Bayo Lawal (Oyo), Dr Peter Odey (Cross River), and Hon Dennis Idahosa (Edo). The presence of monarchs from across the South lent the meeting an unmistakable aura of authority and cultural gravitas.
Reaffirming an age-old demand, Governor Abiodun declared that the creation of State Police remains a “non-negotiable component” of the South’s security strategy. “Southern Nigeria must adopt a proactive and integrated security framework anchored on intelligence-sharing, border protection, safe-school systems, corridor surveillance, and strong community participation,” he said. He argued that decentralised policing would allow states to assume direct responsibility for the safety of their citizens, sharpen local intelligence gathering, and strengthen early-warning mechanisms.
Briefings delivered by top security officials representing the Nigerian Army, Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services (DSS), and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) painted a sobering picture of equipment shortages and manpower gaps across the region. In direct response, the joint forum resolved that states within each southern geopolitical zone would contribute to a dedicated Zonal Security Fund to finance operations, procure equipment, and build capacity.
To give teeth to the new arrangement, the leaders adopted a modern intelligence-sharing protocol that will be supported by cutting-edge communication tools and surveillance technologies. Real-time monitoring and rapid cross-border coordination will be enabled through the institutionalisation of monthly Zonal Security Coordination Meetings attended by Security Advisers from all seventeen states.
The forum also moved to deepen grassroots involvement by formally incorporating traditional rulers into State Security Councils. Recognising the unparalleled reach of royal fathers into rural communities, the governors pledged to provide direct financial and logistical support to traditional institutions to bolster their governance and peace-building roles. States were further urged to work closely with monarchs to regulate land allocation and curb illegal mining—activities repeatedly linked to environmental degradation and the funding of criminal networks.
In a significant political statement, the joint body unanimously passed a Vote of Confidence in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The leaders praised his “bold and decisive leadership” in steering the nation toward macroeconomic stability. They specifically highlighted the steady appreciation and stabilisation of the naira, the gradual easing of food prices, and the sustained decline in inflation for seven consecutive months. The meeting also commended the administration’s ambitious infrastructure push, singling out flagship projects such as the 700-kilometre Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and the multi-billion-naira Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway.
Recalling the historic Asaba Accord of May 11, 2021—when Southern governors unanimously demanded power rotation to the South in 2023—the forum proudly noted that their advocacy had been realised in the person of President Tinubu. The resolution effectively reaffirmed the region’s continued backing of the President’s leadership.
On national security, the gathering extended heartfelt condolences to President Tinubu and the Nigerian Armed Forces over the recent loss of gallant officers and soldiers in Borno State, as well as the disturbing wave of abductions in parts of the North. At the same time, the leaders acknowledged and applauded the swift rescue operations that have brought many victims safely home, describing them as evidence of the administration’s unwavering commitment to citizen safety.
Finally, the Southern leaders used the occasion to dispel rumours of division within the region. They reassured Nigerians that Southern Nigeria remains irrevocably united and committed to peaceful coexistence across ethnic, religious, and cultural lines. “We shall continue to speak with one voice in defence of the collective interests of our people,” the communiqué read, “while collaborating constructively with the Federal Government to deliver peace, progress, and prosperity to every corner of the country.
As the meeting drew to a close in the serene hills of Iperu-Remo, it was clear that a new chapter in regional cooperation had begun—one that marries political will, traditional wisdom, and modern technology in a determined bid to secure the future of Southern Nigeria and, by extension, the Federal Republic itself.
