Governors of the South-East and South-South states held a
crucial meeting in Enugu on Sunday night.
Our correspondent learnt that the meeting, which held at Nike
Lake Resort, Enugu, was informed by the ongoing agitation for
Biafra in parts of the two zones, as well as the campaign for
restructuring.
The meeting came on the heels of an earlier meeting between the
South-East governors and some Igbo leaders, including the
leadership of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo and the South-East National
Assembly Caucus, where they declared their support for a ‘united
Nigeria.’
The Enugu State Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, who addressed the
opening session of the meeting on Sunday night, stressed the need
for cooperation between the South-East and the South-South.
Ugwuanyi noted that the two zones “are joined by tradition,
geography and brotherhood, and also by common challenges.”
He noted that Igbo leaders had already met and 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,” the
governor added.
Ugwuanyi, who lamented common infrastructural challenges in the
two geopolitical zones, said the South-East and South-South would
thrive through mutual cooperation.
According to him, the collaboration between the South-East and
South-South would give the two zones more influence at the federal
level.
“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.
The governor stressed the need for the inclusion of the eastern
rail corridor, which runs through the South-South and South-East,
in the proposed Chinese EXIM Bank loan.
The meeting, which entered a closed session as of the time of
filing this report, had nearly all the governors in the two zones
in attendance.
Apart from Ugwuanyi, other governors at the meeting include
Okezie Ikpeazu, (Abia); Rochas Okorocha, (Imo); Dave Umahi,
(Ebonyi); and Seriake Dickson, (Bayelsa).
Others are Nyesom Wike, (Rivers); Ben Ayade, (Cross River); and
Udom Emmanuel, (Akwa Ibom).
Willie Obiano of Anambra State was represented by his deputy,
Nkem Okeke, while
Godwin Obaseki, (Edo) and Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State, have not
arrived as of the time of filing this report.
Governors of the South-East and South-South states held a
crucial meeting in Enugu on Sunday night.
Our correspondent learnt that the meeting, which held at Nike
Lake Resort, Enugu, was informed by the ongoing agitation for
Biafra in parts of the two zones, as well as the campaign for
restructuring.
The meeting came on the heels of an earlier meeting between the
South-East governors and some Igbo leaders, including the
leadership of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo and the South-East National
Assembly Caucus, where they declared their support for a ‘united
Nigeria.’
The Enugu State Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, who addressed the
opening session of the meeting on Sunday night, stressed the need
for cooperation between the South-East and the South-South.
Ugwuanyi noted that the two zones “are joined by tradition,
geography and brotherhood, and also by common challenges.”
He noted that Igbo leaders had already met and 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,” the
governor added.
Ugwuanyi, who lamented common infrastructural challenges in the
two geopolitical zones, said the South-East and South-South would
thrive through mutual cooperation.
According to him, the collaboration between the South-East and
South-South would give the two zones more influence at the federal
level.
“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.
The governor stressed the need for the inclusion of the eastern
rail corridor, which runs through the South-South and South-East,
in the proposed Chinese EXIM Bank loan.
The meeting, which entered a closed session as of the time of
filing this report, had nearly all the governors in the two zones
in attendance.
Apart from Ugwuanyi, other governors at the meeting include
Okezie Ikpeazu, (Abia); Rochas Okorocha, (Imo); Dave Umahi,
(Ebonyi); and Seriake Dickson, (Bayelsa).
Others are Nyesom Wike, (Rivers); Ben Ayade, (Cross River); and
Udom Emmanuel, (Akwa Ibom).
Willie Obiano of Anambra State was represented by his deputy,
Nkem Okeke, while
Godwin Obaseki, (Edo) and Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State, have not
arrived as of the time of filing this report.
Read more https://nairalaw.com/seast-ssouth-govs-meet-over-biafra-agitation-restructuring/