The Conference of Speakers of SouthWest States has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening legislative collaboration, deepening democratic governance, and advancing regional development across States in the geopolitical zone.
The resolution was reached in a communique jointly signed by the National Chairman of the Conference and Speaker, Oyo State House of Assembly, Adebo Ogundoyin, Chairman, South-West Conference of Speakers, who is also the Speaker of Ekiti State House of Assembly, Adeoye Aribasoye, Speaker, Ogun, Oludaisi Olusegun Elemide and his Osun State counterpart, Olumide Egbedun, at the end of their meeting in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
Presenting the resolution from the Conference, the Chairman of the South-West Speakers, Aribasoye lauded President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for promoting national unity and development, just as he commended the governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State, for his visionary leadership and infrastructural transformation currently going on in the Gateway State.
The Speakers Conference further applauded the Southwest governors for their continued efforts in driving progress and economic growth across the region.
At the meeting, they deliberated on issues of governance, national development and constitutional reforms, and resolved to adopt a common position on key national matters such as electoral reform, inclusive governance, devolution of powers, state policing and security, fiscal reforms, citizenship and indigeneship, as well as the need to strengthe Local Government administration.
The Conference also underscored the need to review the Harmonized Standing Orders of all South-West State Legislatures to promote uniformity and efficiency in legislative processes; assuring on the process to strengthening inter-parliamentary cooperation.
They also proposed the hosting of a South-West Legislative Summit in Oyo State in the first quarter of 2026, meant to promote peer learning and strategic development among State Houses of Assembly.
Recognizing the importance of security to regional stability, the Speakers Conference commended the operational gains of the South-West Security Network (Amotekun) and proposed the establishment of Post-Legislative Scrutiny Units across State Assemblies.
According to the Conference, the Unit would help assess the operational effectiveness of key laws such as the Anti-Open Grazing and Amotekun laws, ensuring they align with current realities and security needs.
The Speakers further urged South-West Governors to engage the National Boundary Commission proactively in resolving recurring boundary disputes among States to engender peace and unity; while emphasizing youth inclusion in governance, with a call on all tiers of government to create more opportunities for young people to participate meaningfully in the democratic process.
On agriculture, the Conference advocated improved budgetary allocation to the sector across the States in the region to strengthen food security, enhance healthy living and promote sustainable livelihood in the region.
The Speakers in company of their Majority Leaders later paid a visit to the Gateway International Airport, Iperu where they commended the State government for implementing the project.
