A group, Southern and Middle Belt Leaders Forum, comprising eminent Nigerians on Tuesday called on all patriots across the country to support the recent position of the state governors and federal lawmakers, particularly those in the Senate on the need to put Nigeria back on track through the enthronement of genuine federalism.
The leaders, which include Chief Ayo Adebanjo, who led the South West delegation; Prof. Joe Irukwu, leader of the South East; Chief Albert Horsfal of the South-South and Dr. Bala Takaya of the Middle Belt, made the call in a communiqué issued at the end of the meeting in Lagos.
This was just as they commended the Southern Governors Forum for their recent meeting in Lagos where they took a common stand on the need to return Nigeria to a federal entity.
Other leaders at the meeting include former Minister of External Affairs, Gen Ike Nwachukwu (rtd); former governor of Ondo State, Dr Olusegun Mimiko; Senator Jona Jang, former governor of Cross River State, Mr. Donald Duke, who was represented; former envoy to the United States, Prof. George Obiozor, Prof. Banji Akintoye and former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Odein Ajumogobia (SAN).
The rest are: Dr Akin Onigbinde (SAN), Senator Femi Okurounmu, Chief Guy Ikoku, former Minister of Information, Mr. Labaran Maku; Chief Supo Shonibare, Mr. Isuwa Dogo, Col Tony Nyiam (rtd), spokesperson of pan-Yoruba socio-political group, Mr. Yinka Odumakin, Sen. Chris Anyanwu and Mr. Fafa Dan-Princewill.
The Forum also lauded the Southern Senators Forum for their successful retreat in Calabar, where they called on President Muhammadu Buhari to summon a meeting of the National Assembly leadership, governors and Speakers of the various State Assemblies to commence the implementation of the 2014 National Conference reports.
They, however, called on all patriots across Nigeria to support the patriotic stance of the governors and the senators in order to put the country back on track through the enthronement of genuine federalism.