Southern Security: Governors, Natural Rulers Seek Soluble Solutions In Ogun

• Discuss creation of zonal security funds;
• Call for the establishment of state police;
• Sue for regional economic cooperation;
• Push for enhanced roles for traditional rulers;
• Intelligence sharing framework, others

By PHC Telegraph

Governors of the Southern states have agreed to collaborate jointly to enhance the security of the region and guarantee the unity and stability of the country.

They have equally agreed to pass a vote of confidence on President Bola Tinubu for his handling of the economy as well as the fight against terrorism.

The governors met under the auspices of the Southern Governors Forum on Wednesday, November 26, 2025, at the official residence of Governor, Dapo Abiodun in Iperu Remo, Ogun State,

Also present at the meeting called to review matters of regional interests and set the agenda for the protection of the South from acts of terror were members of the Southern Traditional Rulers council.

Eight Out Of Seventeen 

Eight governors attended the strategic meeting in person while four Deputy Governors represented their principals according to information pieced together by our reporters Wednesday night.

Those present were the Chairman of the Southern Governors Forum, Dapo Abiodun (Ogun State),​Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos State), ​Siminalayi Fubara (Rivers State), ​Alex Otti (Abia State), ​Biodun Oyebanji (Ekiti State), ​Francis Nwifuru (Ebonyi State), ​Peter Mbah (Enugu State), ​Charles Soludo (Anambra State) and ​Lucky Aiyedatiwa (Ondo State).

​The Deputy Governors who represented their principals were ​Kola Adewusi (Osun State), ​Bayo Lawal (Oyo State), ​Peter Odey (Cross River State) and ​Dennis Idahosa (Edo State)

Structure Of The Meeting 

The event which began early Wednesday was scheduled to have two main parts: a session involving only the governors of Southern states. That meeting, knowledgeable sources disclosed, reviewed critical security concerns pertaining to the region and set the tone for the South’s reaction.

Thereafter, the exclusive meeting held by the governors was followed by a ​joint session: a meeting between the Governors and the Southern Traditional Rulers Council basically to deal with issues and forge closer ties..

Core Objective Of The Meeting 

Wednesday’s meeting, from every indication, was intended to strengthen collaboration between political leaders and traditional institutions on matters of shared concern for the region’s peace, stability, and development.

Based on official pre-meeting statements and the recurrent issues in the region, the discussions were widely expected to focus on:

​Security: This is a major and recurrent issue. The governors and traditional rulers were expected to discuss strategies to enhance security, especially in light of recent kidnappings and banditry activities, and to foster grassroots-driven security efforts with the help of traditional rulers.

​Economic Cooperation: Deliberating on ways to boost economic ties and development across the Southern States.
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​Role of Traditional Rulers: Strengthening the role of traditional institutions in governance, conflict resolution, and grassroots development
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At the end of deliberations, a communique was drawn up. Here are the key points from the joint communiqué released by the Southern Governors’ Forum and the Southern Traditional Rulers Council following their meeting in Iperu, Ogun State:

​Creation of a Zonal Security Fund: The Forum resolved to establish a dedicated Zonal Security Fund, with contributions from member states. This fund is intended to support and enhance regional security operations, emergency deployments, forensic support, and capacity building across the Southern states.

​Intelligence Sharing Framework: They agreed to formalize an improved intelligence-sharing system backed by modern communication technology, real-time surveillance, and interoperable equipment to allow for coordinated responses across state borders.

​Renewed Advocacy for State Police: The Forum reiterated its long-standing call for the creation of State Police, affirming that it is no longer negotiable in the effort to tackle worsening insecurity, noting that all states have already submitted their positions on the matter.

​Stronger Backing for Regional Security Outfits: They resolved to give stronger institutional and financial backing to existing regional and local security outfits.

​Collaboration with Traditional Rulers: Governors were urged to collaborate closely with the Traditional Rulers Council to regulate land allocation and tackle the rising issue of illegal mining within their domains.

​Vote of Confidence in the President: The Governors and Traditional Rulers passed a Vote of Confidence in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, commending his efforts to stabilize the economy, tackle inflation, and push forward major infrastructure projects like the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Road.

​Condolences on Security Losses: They extended heartfelt condolences to the President over the recent tragic loss of military personnel in Borno and the mass abductions in Kebbi, Kwara, and Niger states, while acknowledging the successful rescue efforts.

​Reaffirmation of Unity: The Forum reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to the unity, stability, and peaceful coexistence of Nigeria and committed to advancing the collective interests of the South.

​These resolutions, observers say, highlight a strong focus on collective security strategy and strengthening the partnership between the political leadership and traditional institutions in the region.

Meanwhile, Governors from the 19 states in Northern Nigeria are expected to converge in Kaduna, the Kaduna State capital.

They are expected to focus intensely on the security situation in the North East, the North Central and the North West against the backdrop of spiraling insecurity, attacks by Boko Haram, ISWAP and other groups, threat to food security as a result of herders/ farmers clashes, faith based killings that have turned Nigeria into a country of particular concern and illegal mining operations.

They are also to come up with the best way of integrating traditional rulers in the ongoing fight against insurgents, particularly in the area of grassroots intelligence gathering