South-West governors elected on the platform of the All Progressive Congress, APC, have concluded plans to meet at the Lagos House, Marina, on Sunday, May 23, 2021 amid the growing agitation for self-determination.
A former interim Chairman of the All Progressive Congress, APC, Chief Bisi Akande convened the meeting.
Among the expected attendees are Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila; APC stalwart, Bola Tinubu; Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State; his Ogun State counterpart, Dapo Abiodun; Governor Gboyega Oyetola of Osun State and Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu.
Others invited to the meeting include Ekiti State Governor, Kayode Fayemi, who is also the Chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum; the Chairman, Police Service Commission, Musiliu Smith; a former Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Alani Akinrinade; and former APC South-West Vice Chairman, Pius Akinyelure.
The invite partly read, “Notice of Meeting: A lot has happened in our country since the last time we met. I hereby formally invite you for a meeting on the state of the nation as follows: Date: Sunday, May 23, 2021. Time: 2pm. Venue: Lagos House, Marina. Lagos. Subject: Review of State of Nation.”
Although the meeting agenda was not stated, Punch reports that the meeting was convened to address calls for secession in the light of the activities of personalities like Sunday Igboho and others.
An aide to one of the invited governors said, “My governor received the letter too. We were not told the reason for the meeting but we learnt that it is connected to the calls for secession, insecurity and the need for better South-West unity ahead of 2023.”
The South-West has been championing the demand for restructuring and particularly fiscal federalism.
On Saturday, agitators under the aegis of Omo Oduduwa United stormed the streets in Osogbo, the capital of Osun State, to demand secession from Nigeria.