Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode

The leaders from the three geo-political zones comprising the West, South and the East will on Monday, meet in Lagos State to discuss the issue of fiscal federalism and how to forge stronger political and economy ties among the three geo-political zones.

It kind of gathering was experienced twelve years ago. According to a statement made available to newsmen on Saturday (today), by the Secretary to the State Government, Lagos State, Tunji Bello, the meeting, which will be co-hosted by Governor Akinwunmi Ambode (Lagos) and Governor Emmanuel Udom (Akwa Ibom State), will address issues of development in the zones.

According to him, the governors would also be expected to adopt a common position on the issues of armed robbery, kidnapping, devolution of powers and fiscal federalism “which have all gained prominence of late.”

Bello said, “The 2017 Lagos summit of the 17 southern governors, representing the South-South, South-West and South-East zones, is expected to come up with a communiqué after the deliberation. It is noteworthy to recall that the inaugural meeting of the southern governors took place in Lagos in 2001 during the administration of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.”

The statement added that “the predominance of views is that if the southern states speak with one voice, they are bound to attract weighty and credible listenership.”

Seventeen southern governors are expected at the summit.

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