3 Agreements Recently Reached By Southern Governors Which The North Is Not Comfortable With

Homopoliticus_Bosco

Sep 18, 2021 6:28 PM

Since the Southern Governors began meeting at intervals to deliberate on issues that are affecting the region in general, the Governors have been able to reach some agreements on how to go about certain issues. As the number one citizen of their respective states, the Governors are saddled with the responsibility to manage the affairs of their states, and ensure the protection of the lives and properties of their people.

In a bid to proffer solutions to some of the salient issues affecting the entire Southern region, the Governors of Southern States have met and agreed on certain issues. However, about 3 of their agreements have continued to make the Northern region uncomfortable, with some notable individuals from the region publicly condemning the Southern Governors over their resolutions. Three of such agreements are discussed below.

1. Ban on Open Grazing

It is no longer news that many notable individuals from the North are against the decision of Southern Governors to ban open grazing of cows in the entire South. Recall that the Nigeria Minister of Justice, and Attorney-General of the Federal, had described the move as an infringement on the constitutional rights of the Herders. This is coming at a time when the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association, also described the ban as a satanic law that must not be obeyed.

2. Collection of Value Added Tax (VAT) by States

Since the recent agreement of Southern Governors that states should be collecting Value-Added Tax (VAT), the Northern region appears to be uncomfortable with the agreement. It should be recalled that before the agreement, the Governors of Gombe and Katsina states, have urged the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, to be his brother’s keeper and share the VAT from his state.

3. Zoning of the 2023 Presidency to the Southern region

The third, but not the least, is the agreement of Southern Governors to insist on the zoning of the 2023 Presidency to the Southern region. Many notable individuals from the North, have described the move as unconstitutional. There is no doubt that the North is uncomfortable with the insistence of Southern Governors on zoning of the 2023 Presidency to the South. This can be seen in the manner in which notable individuals from the region kick against the demands of the Southern Governors.

Arguably, the agreements reached by Southern Governors on the 3 issues raised above, have continued to make the Northern region uncomfortable. This explains why the region has continued to kick against them. However, whether they will be able to convince the Governors to rescind the agreements, is what we may have to wait to find out.