Nnaya Eziyi in Enugu
Governors of the Southeast and South south geo-political zones yesterday night met to wade into the crisis threatening the peace of the zones and the wider Nigeria society
Host governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State told journalists at the end of the Sunday night meeting at Nike Lake Resort that the governors decided to come together in order to stop the prevailing social and economic crisis threatening the common heritage of the two geo-political zones of the country
Harping on the earlier meetings of the Ohanaeze social political group of the Igbos and the Southeast governors on restructuring and agitation for secession by the Ndubis Kanu led Independent Peoples of Biafra, IPOB, he said the Sunday night meeting was to consolidate on the two previous meetings which agreed “on a restructured Nigeria, where peace, love, equity and opportunities are paramount, regardless of creed, ethnicity, gender and political affiliations.
“It is against this background, therefore, that the meeting of the South-East and the South-South, becomes important.
“I believe that a sustained South-East and South-South cooperation would foster and accelerate competitive development.
“Through inter-regional cooperation, we will be able to speak with one voice and form a greater political capital that will influence the Federal Government,” he said.
At the end of the meeting Governor Emmanuel Udom of Akwa Ibom was appointed as the chairman of the Forum at this, its first meeting
Briefing newsmen at the end of the closed-door meeting, Udom said that governors from the two regions decided to come together to pursue inter-regional cooperation for greater integration.
The governor said that the two regions had agreed to politically work together and realign as a people that shared common heritage, culture and affinity.
“Having reviewed the state of the nation particularly as it affects us in the South South and South East regions, we have agreed to pursue inter-regional cooperation.
“This will be for integration and for the economic benefit of the two regions.
“We also have resolved to politically work together and realign as a people that shared common heritage, culture and affinity,” he said.
Udom said that his brother governors unanimously chose him as the interim chairman. He said their next meeting would hold in Port Harcourt on August 27.
Governors in attendance at the meeting were Ugwuayi, Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa, Nyeson Wike of Rivers, Okezie Ikpeazu, of Abia, Ben Ayade of Cross River, Rochas Okorocha, of Imo; Dave Umahi of Ebonyi, Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom. Nkem Okeke, Deputy Governor of Anambra State represented Governor Willie Obiano. Only Edo State governor, Godwin Obaseki and his Delta counterpart, Ifeanyi Okowa were absent.
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