Those who attended the meeting of Southeast and South-South governors held in Enugu last Sunday, where the two zones agreed to work together, would readily agree that a new beginning that may positively affect the two regions has started. This is not because meetings of such nature have not held in the past among groups in the regions, but because the enthusiasm to drive this new beginning is now being driven by their political leaders.

At the meeting were governors Nyesom Ezenwo Wike (Rivers); Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu); Udom Emmanuel (Akwa Ibom); and David Umahi (Ebonyi), Owelle Rochas Okorocha (Imo) Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia), Henry Seriake Dickson (Bayelsa), Benedict Ayade (Cross River) and deputy governor of Anambra, Dr. Nkem Okeke.

At various times and levels, people of southeast and south-south zones had cooperated and seen themselves as brothers, despite political creations that excised one from the other. For instance, the agitation for Biafra actualisation being championed by Igbo youths has always received support of the south-south.

Apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, on the other hand, has always promoted this brotherhood and had engaged leaders of the zones in meetings. So also the South East South-South Professionals (SESSPN), led by Dr. Emeka Ugwuoju, which at various times had articulated ways of cooperation on economic development agenda for the two zones.
The professional group, which has always rotated meetings among the states, as well as involved indigenes in the Diaspora, believes that the two zones would serve their needs better, if they cooperate in areas of agriculture, energy, healthcare, education, tourism and power, among others, especially going by the nature of the areas and the ingenuity of their people.

In what has been termed a bold move, last week, their governors gathered at the meeting held in Nike Lake Hotel, which was the second in less than two months, and agreed to “politically work together as a people bounded by same culture and affinity.”

Akwa Ibom State governor, Emmanuel Udom, who read statement from the meeting, said it centered on discussions for regional and political cooperation. He noted that they reviewed the state of the nation, particularly as it affects the two regions and agreed to “pursue inter-regional cooperation.”

He said: “This forum will be for integration and economic benefit of the two regions. We have also resolved to politically work together and realign as a people that shared common heritage, culture and affinity. I was unanimously chosen by “my brother governors as the interim chairman of the forum.”

Although he said the group’s next meeting would be in Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital on August 27, analysts believe the current scheme of things in the country, which has forced the two zones into agitating for restructuring, could have given rise to the creation of the common platform.

Those who hold this view said it is predicated on the fact that governors produced in the zones before now never deemed it necessary holding such gathering, apparently due to their belief that they were in the comfort zone. They insisted that while the southeast had claimed marginalisation in the scheme of things, especially on political appointments and federal presence, the South-South has not received the kind of attention it deserves, as the hen that lays the golden egg in its contribution to national economy.

The feeling is that the pattern of voting during the 2015 elections, where the two zones massively opted for opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) exacerbated their predicament.

Enugu governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, brought this uncomfortable state of affairs to the fore, while justifying need for the meeting in his opening address, when he said: “Today, it is difficult to travel from Enugu to Port Harcourt, following dearth of roads in the region.
Currently, about five percent of power generation in the country is allocated to the southeast, and in the same manner, people cannot also fly from the southeast or south-south to other zones, but must fly to Abuja to get connecting flight to any of the regions, unless you can afford chartered flight. We have poor socio-economic infrastructure and the tourism sector is under-developed in the Southeast and South-south zones.

“These two regions are joined not only by history, geography and brotherhood, but also by challenges. I believe that a sustained Southeast and South-south consultation will foster the much-needed inter-regional cooperation and will accelerate competitive development, thoughtfulness, economic prosperity, industry and socio-political harmony. Even the Bible teaches that two heads are better than one. So, working together, we have a chance of addressing socio-economic challenges facing the regions.”

Ebonyi State governor, David Umahi, took the position further, when he said the coming together was to talk about economic survival of the two regions, as well as look at possible ways of “bringing our ingenuity and making use of our huge deposits of both human and natural resources to attain economic viable zones in Nigeria.”

Umahi noted that there are assets in the zones that are presently redundant in the areas of roads, seaports and industrial expansion among others, explaining that the desire was to do something new and differently.

However, Edo and Delta States were not at the meeting. Analysts insist that the two regions fared better under the defunct Eastern Region before they were divided by political creations.

Immediate past Secretary-general of Ohaneze Ndigbo, Dr. Joe Nworgu, who recalled the relationship between the two zones, stated that they had not only worked together economically, but also bonded politically. He added that the constitution that created three regions in the country saw the late Prof Eyo Ita as leader of government business in the east.

He told The Guardian that the defunct Eastern Region voted together under the now rested National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons (NCNC), a political platform formed before independence, adding that the1963 incident, where the late Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe colluded with some Igbos to remove Eyo Ita from headship of the Eastern Region, sowed the seed of discord between the two regions.

He said: “That was the point of departure, as it angered the minority tribes and led to the formation of Calabar, Ogoja and Rivers (COR)
movement, where they decided to be in opposition against the Igbos. This resentment and antagonism movement was led by E.O Eyo from Uyo and this made them align against Igbo, as they tilted toward the Action Group.

He added that it was a further attempt to break the hegemony that led Federal Government into fusing Rivers, Cross River and Akwa Ibom with Delta and Edo, which were originally part of the defunct Mid-western states.

“So, it was to breach this gap created by the late Zik that informed the philosophy of Ohanaeze to unconditionally support the candidature of a minority person, Goodluck Jonathan, in the 2011 and 2015 elections,” he explained. “It was a well-thought out attempt aimed at asking for forgiveness for that 1953 (mis) adventure and that is why I said no regrets voting for Jonathan. What we are considering had no connection with the crumbs of political office from the presidency. We are pursuing more lasting objectives.

“A synergy with our brothers from South-South is for greater economic and political benefit, because an eastern economic bloc will be more competitive in performance than a segmented hand- in-gloves approach for political offices. This synergy is exactly what we require and when it must have been achieved, they should reach out to the West, Middle Belt and then Northeast.

“In terms of economic integration, we need the ports in Port Harcourt and Onne. Our Imo River in Owerri crossed into the Atlantic Ocean at Opobo, and if we can dredge the river, we will boost business in the regions. We will no longer need to go to Lagos to clear our goods. There is a bigger market in Onitsha and Aba, and we will grow the eastern cluster. We have the Aba, Onitsha/Nnewi cluster. We will also retain our population and prevent them from moving out of the zone in search of jobs. There will be foreign attractions to investments in the zone. So, it is kudos to Ohanaeze Ndigbo that has always said and sang the mantra of ‘think home, invest home.’ There is no better time to do this than now that Igbos are being threatened in the country. It is the right step in the right direction.”

Also speaking, elder statesman, Chief Ralph Obioha, stressed that such a move is needed to usher in development, peace and stability in the country. He stated that such gatherings would have reduced the clamour for restructuring going by the objectives being pursued by those behind it.

He said: “The series of agitation is for the betterment and welfare of the people, and even when there has been clamour for political power, it has not been as loud as the clamour for economic emancipation. So, be that as it may, any reasonable gathering of such nature, which advances good governance, should be encouraged. This is because the impact would be felt on areas of health, education and security, among others. If they can advance this forum to a level, where they can make monthly financial contributions, you will be amazed at where they can be in the shortest possible time.

“These are nine states that have been under one government before now. They have natural endowments that have remained untapped; they have the ingenuity, as well as the market. All that required to be done is to have such infrastructure as ring roads, sea and airports where they can effectively benefit from it, and you would see a boom in the region.”

Obioha said he did not see any obstacle in the way of the forum, since its essence was advancement of development and economic wellbeing of the people, adding that membership of two states belonging to different political parties – Anambra and Imo, which are APGA and APC respectively, was not a threat to the union.

“If the states buried their political leanings to agree to work together, it shows they have realised it will be a win-win situation, which will further advance their political fortunes, if sustained. I quite agree it should be extended to the southwest zone,” he explained.

A political analyst, Dr. Jude Kalu, stated that the affected zones could have become “economic giants before now,” had they taken into accounts suggestions and certain proposals and memos made by different groups asking for the cooperation.

He said his major fear was if the forum would not become “another political jamboree, as well as a platform to actualise 2019 general election.”

“Some of the governors are presently on the last lap of their tenure, and where that is the case, others coming after them may not see this vision as a reality. But where they all believe in it, then the job would have become easier,” he said.

On the long run, however, he believed a sustained meeting of the two zones could be used to negotiate political power.
“Modern day politics take into consideration areas of comparative advantage, which could be harnessed for the development of the society,” he said. “You can see the trend in the movement of political power in the country. It is such that has not factored the two zones, except the circumstances that brought former President Goodluck Jonathan to power. Now in the event, where you don’t have the population, which of course determines the election, your next alternative is economic power.

If the two zones can pull resources and position their economy in such a way that it could be attractive to other zones, it could be used to negotiate political power. That to me is very important.

“The efforts to transform the country have been frustrated and will remain so, as long as a section continues to benefit from it. To look inwards and work out survival strategies remain the best option and the togetherness in these two divides is very vital.”
https://m.guardian.ng/politics/southeast-south-south-governors-to-recreate-old-eastern-region/

This is the very best....
Far better than the south east secceding to be a landlocked country

Whoever is thinking of bringing the SW in this programme should please dont think of it.
SW have chosen their ally which is the Hausa fulani.

Please thos people can not be relied on. Whatever didcussion you have with them in secreet will get to the Northeners the next minute. Please do not put that idea on the table.

We do not need cowards and backstabbers

Watch how this good news will not get FP with all credible sauce. If it were to be SS governor disassocite themselves From SE governors, it will hit front page with the speed of light

Afonjas how market?? This is to tell you abobakus that what will be will definitely be

Economic emancipation naturally predates political emancipation.

We south south from waste are not in support of this and we can never allow this to happen.

Jonathan earned in one year what Buhari will not in 4 years.

munas:
This is the very best.... Far better than the south east secceding to be a landlocked country

I know you're sea locked clap 4 your self 100 times after that take a nap when you're through reply me ok be a good boy

Who Else Noticed The Governors Of Delta And Edo State Respectively Weren't Present At The Meeting Of South- South/South-east Coalesce aimed at promoting unity, inter-state relations and economical growth I'm Sure Okowa Knws It Would Be Disrespectful and grotesque To harness Delta Into Any unauthentic and romantically incorrect union, especially one that has ulterior motives, because its a Misrepresentation Of Delta's political Identity and history.

[supported. Afonja can not be trusted. They should join there Huasa fulani masters. quote author=facelessangel post=58507967]Whoever is thinking of bringing the SW in this programme should please dont think of it.
SW have chosen their ally which is the Hausa fulani.

Please thos people can not be relied on. Whatever didcussion you have with them in secreet will get to the Northeners the next minute. Please do not put that idea on the table.

We do not need cowards and backstabbers

Watch how this good news will not get FP with all credible sauce. If it were to be SS governor disassocite themselves From SE governors, it will hit front page with the speed of light[/quote]

Fantastic.

facelessangel:
Whoever is thinking of bringing the SW in this programme should please dont think of it.
SW have chosen their ally which is the Hausa fulani.

Please thos people can not be relied on. Whatever didcussion you have with them in secreet will get to the Northeners the next minute. Please do not put that idea on the table.

We do not need cowards and backstabbers

Watch how this good news will not get FP with all credible sauce. If it were to be SS governor disassocite themselves From SE governors, it will hit front page with the speed of light

see this mumu and cowards that can't be independent of southsouth.


Southwest fvcking need nobody,Bleep you guys and Bleep the north self.


Southwest voted GEJ in 2011 not on southsouth and southeast request or contract and voted in Buhari in 2015 not on north request!

Believe me southwest will vote out buhari in 2019 if buhari Bleep up finish like GEJ by 2019.Just watch,Southwest are not emotional baby like SS,SE and core north...the only region that think like us is north central.



SOUTHWEST NEEDS NO ALLY!

Nikbaebrown:
Who Else Noticed The Governors Of Delta And Edo State Respectively Weren't Present At The Meeting Of South- South/South-east Coalesce aimed at promoting unity, inter-state relations and economical growth I'm Sure Okowa Knws It Would Be Disrespectful and grotesque To harness Delta Into Any unauthentic and romantically incorrect union, especially one that has ulterior motives, because its a Misrepresentation Of Delta's political Identity and history.

Until Okowa and Obaseki gives their reasons or fails to attend the next meeting, you are on your own.

Nikbaebrown:
Who Else Noticed The Governors Of Delta And Edo State Respectively Weren't Present At The Meeting Of South- South/South-east Coalesce aimed at promoting unity, inter-state relations and economical growth I'm Sure Okowa Knws It Would Be Disrespectful and grotesque To harness Delta Into Any unauthentic and romantically incorrect union, especially one that has ulterior motives, because its a Misrepresentation Of Delta's political Identity and history.

Delta and Edo were not part of the old Eastern region so how do you expect their Govs to attend such a meeting?

vanbonattel:


Until Okowa and Obaseki gives their reasons or fails to attend the next meeting, you are on your own.

Delta and Edo aint in the old eastern region, no need to attend. Moreover, Delta is such a unique state that the gov despite being half igbo wont want to join some funny alliance (Biafra)

deandavid:

Delta and Edo aint in the old eastern region, no need to attend. Moreover, Delta is such a unique state that the gov despite being half igbo wont want to join some funny alliance (Biafra)

Biafra is not a funny alliance.
If you doubt ask PMB

deandavid:

Delta and Edo aint in the old eastern region, no need to attend. Moreover, Delta is such a unique state that the gov despite being half igbo wont want to join some funny alliance (Biafra)

Open rebuke is better than secret love. Allies that would soon betray themselves cus of greedy interest

vanbonattel:


Until Okowa and Obaseki gives their reasons or fails to attend the next meeting, you are on your own.

You Dnt Seem To Knw Much About Delta Politics. Okowa Has His Second Term at The Verge Of being jettisoned should he Re-write History By Identifying With The Present Coalition Of South-east And South-south Since Its A Translucent Extention And Represention Of Old Eastern Nigeria According To The OP. My Pontification And Assertion Could Be Incorrect If Only The Coalescense Isnt In Any Way Connected To Revitalizing The Old Eastern Nigeria. And I Hope You Knw Okowa Cant Be re-elected as Governor Without The Support Of Other Ethnic Groups From Delta South And Central...

careytommy7:

Delta and Edo were not part of the old Eastern region so how do you expect their Govs to attend such a meeting?

I think you now understand one of the reason former president Olusegu Obansajo visited IWERRE.Please orient the all

I strongly believe that the South West part later became a joke that they all laughed at. We will rather have middle belt region with us than the people arewa elders are calling snakes and backstabbers

deandavid:

Delta and Edo aint in the old eastern region, no need to attend. Moreover, Delta is such a unique state that the gov despite being half igbo wont want to join some funny alliance (Biafra)

shut up, okowa wasn't in the country when they held the meeting, so stop talking like a Fulani herdsman

Nikbaebrown:


You Dnt Seem To Knw Much About Delta Politics. Okowa Has His Second Term at The Verge Of being jettisoned should he Re-write History By Identifying With The Present Coalition Of South-east And South-south Since Its A Translucent Extention And Represention Of Old Eastern Nigeria. My Pontification And Assertion Could Be Incorrect If Only The Coalescense Isnt In Any Way Connected To Revitalizing The Old Eastern Nigeria. And I Hope You Knw Okowa Cant Be Governor Without The Support Of Other Ethnic Groups From Delta South And Central...

Good analysis but also i certainly think that the deltan within themselves have no ties with the south east people.that's just the reality

Basic123:


see this mumu and cowards that can't be independent of southsouth.


Southwest fvcking need nobody,Bleep you guys and Bleep the north self.


Southwest voted GEJ in 2011 not on southsouth and southeast request or contract and voted in Buhari in 2015 not on north request!

Believe me southwest will vote out buhari in 2019 if buhari fucke up finish like GEJ by 2019.Just watch,Southwest are not emotional baby like SS,SE and core north...the only region that think like us is north central.



SOUTHWEST NEEDS NO ALLY!

buhari and hausas have told you that your vote was insignificant. It was the north that supported thier own. Buhari vote in SW was a little above 50%. You are not needed in the alliance

Nikbaebrown:


You Dnt Seem To Knw Much About Delta Politics. Okowa Has His Second Term at The Verge Of being jettisoned should he Re-write History By Identifying With The Present Coalition Of South-east And South-south Since Its A Translucent Extention And Represention Of Old Eastern Nigeria. My Pontification And Assertion Could Be Incorrect If Only The Coalescense Isnt In Any Way Connected To Revitalizing The Old Eastern Nigeria. And I Hope You Knw Okowa Cant Be re-elected as Governor Without The Support Of Other Ethnic Groups From Delta South And Central...

based on your analogy, why did edo not attend?

deandavid:

Delta and Edo aint in the old eastern region, no need to attend. Moreover, Delta is such a unique state that the gov despite being half igbo wont want to join some funny alliance (Biafra)

Speaking for Okowa when the guy has not yet said anything?

vanbonattel:


Speaking for Okowa when the guy has not yet said anything?

okowa is not Igbo like Sunday Olise

facelessangel:
okowa is not Igbo like Sunday Olise

Are you wishing he is Igbo?

Then he should come to Nri and pray. If not, he is just a distant relative and we will continue to wish him well.

facelessangel:
based on your analogy, why did edo not attend?

Cuz Nigeria Used To Be Divided Into 4 Independent Regions With The Midwestern Divison Being One Of Them From 1963 To 1991 and From 1976 Being Knwn As Bendel State Which Was Successively Divided Into Edo And Delta Which Forms Part Of The South-south Geopoliticaal Region Of Nigeria. It Was Never Part Of The Old Eastern Nigeria. So There Cant Be Any Recent Form Of Allignment as it Convolute's History. Mind You, I'm Only Positing That The Association Wouldnt Be Possible Only If The South south/south East Governors Forum Has Ulterior Agendas Of Old Eastern Nigeria. and i hope you knw THE MIDWESTERN NIGERIA DECLARED A "BENIN REPUBLIC" Which Lasted A Day During The Civil War Before It Was Recaptured By The Nigerian Army?

facelessangel:
Whoever is thinking of bringing the SW in this programme should please dont think of it.
SW have chosen their ally which is the Hausa fulani.

Please thos people can not be relied on. Whatever didcussion you have with them in secreet will get to the Northeners the next minute. Please do not put that idea on the table.

We do not need cowards and backstabbers

Watch how this good news will not get FP with all credible sauce. If it were to be SS governor disassocite themselves From SE governors, it will hit front page with the speed of light

What concerns SW with this post now

Are you a dullard

facelessangel:
buhari and hausas have told you that your vote was insignificant. It was the north that supported thier own. Buhari vote in SW was a little above 50%. You are not needed in the alliance

well only people like you will take their notion as facts because the deludeds believe what pleases their ears even if it is a lie.


By the way,if that is the case ,why are Igbo(s) wailing and shouting betrayal if the SW votes is insignificant?

Why did sheu sanni and other objective northern leaders blasted those people saying so?


MR MAN,YOU ARE ONLY TRYING TO MAKE YOURSELF HAPPY BY FALSIFYING FACTS.

Notasyouthink:
Afonjas how market?? This is to tell you abobakus that what will be will definitely be

let wait and see naaa....how d criminals and cultist will unite,we shall see d end b4 or after 2019 election