South-West Govs Lobby N’Assembly Caucus On State police, PIB, Electoral Act

South-West Govs Lobby N’Assembly Caucus On State police, PIB, Electoral Act.

Governors of the South-West states met with members of the National Assembly from the geopolitical zone behind closed doors on Tuesday and discussed issues concerning the ongoing review of the Constitution, the Petroleum Industry Bill and the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill, among others.

At the meeting, which commenced at 8.15pm and lasted a little less than two hours, were governors Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State, Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State, Gboyega Oyetola of Osun State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State and Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State.

Emerging from the meeting, Akeredolu said the South-West would be approaching the constitution amendment exercise with a common front.

He said, “The South-West governors held a meeting with members of the House of Representatives and senators from South-West.

“At the meeting, we discussed so many areas of interests, but most importantly, we deliberated on constitutional amendment and we resolved that we will present a common position as regards amendment to the Constitution. And in order to achieve this, we set up a committee made of up senators, led by the caucus Chairman (Opeyemi Bamidele), and House of Representatives caucus Chairman (Femi Fakeye) and attorneys-general of the South-West states.

“The committee is to harmonise our position so that we can present it when necessary before the two Houses and at the end of the day, have a constitutional amendment with our serious input. Thank you all.”

The governors and the lawmakers declined questions from journalists.

A paper circulated at the Imo Hall, Transcorp Hilton, venue of the meeting and signed by Akeredolu, highlighted some of the positions of the governors.

They called for gender equality and increased participation of women and vulnerable groups in governance, fiscal decentralisation and devolution of powers and state police, among others.

Dated July 5, 2021, the document was addressed to the South-West members of the Senate and House of Representatives