Southern governors and traditional rulers on Wednesday called for urgent reforms to strengthen regional security and ease the economic hardship confronting millions of Nigerians.
The leaders, who converged in Iperu, Ogun State, stressed that the current wave of kidnappings, rural attacks, and economic pressure requires stronger collaboration among the states of the South and renewed support for federal initiatives targeted at national stability.
Leading the delegation of traditional rulers was the Ooni of Ife, His Imperial Majesty Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, who also serves as the Permanent Chairman of the Southern Nigeria Traditional Rulers Council (SNTRC). The communique was read by the host, Governor Dapo Abiodun, who also doubles as the Chairman of the Southern Governors’ Forum (SGF).
The meeting had in attendance Governors Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos), Siminalayi (Rivers), Alex Otti (Abia), Biodun Oyebamiji (Ekiti), Francis Nwifuru (Ebonyi), Peter Mbah (Enugu), Charles Soludo (Anambra), and Lucky Aiyedatiwa (Ondo), while deputy governors Kola Adewusi (Osun), Bayo Lawal (Oyo), Peter Odey (Cross River), and Dennis Idahosa (Edo) represented their respective principals.
Traditional rulers drawn from the southern region of the country in attendance included the Dein of Agbor, Benjamin Ikenchukwu Keagborekuzi; the Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adegboyega Gbadebo; the Akarigbo of Remoland, Oba Babatunde Ajayi; the Olu of Ilaro, Oba Kehinde Olugbenle; the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Owoade; and the Olota of Ota, Oba Adeyemi Obalanlege, among others.
Speaking after the closed-door meeting, the governors emphasised that state police has become an unavoidable solution as security agencies struggle to contain increasingly sophisticated criminal networks across several states. They noted that communities must be better protected and that governors, as chief security officers of their states, should be empowered with the tools and authority needed to respond swiftly to local threats.
Traditional rulers in attendance echoed the same sentiment, warning that insecurity is tearing communities apart and worsening the economic condition of families already battling inflation and shrinking livelihoods.
They urged the Federal Government to accelerate security reforms while assuring that the royal institutions across the South remain committed partners in sustaining peace, intelligence gathering, and cultural cohesion.
The leaders also underscored the need for stronger regional unity among the South-West, South-East, and South-South, noting that cooperation, shared intelligence, and coordinated development plans would reinforce stability during this period of national strain.
They reaffirmed their support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s ongoing economic and security reforms, describing the moment as one that requires firmness, patience, and collective responsibility from both government and citizens.
The Iperu meeting ended with a renewed call to safeguard communities, reduce hardship through targeted social interventions, and protect the unity of the southern region as Nigeria navigates one of its most challenging periods in recent years.
