By Olawale Lamina
Imo State governor, Hope Uzodimma has stated that the five governors of the South-East have decided to back President Bola Tinubu’s bid for a second term in office based on the administration’s commitment to the development of the region.
Governor Uzodimma, who is the Chairman of the South-East Governors’ Forum (SEGF), stated this on Wednesday during a meeting with the Imo State Elders Council and traditional rulers in Owerri.
The Imo state governor revealed that the collective decision was consequent on review of the Federal Government’s interventions in the South-East under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
Uzodimma noted that had in turn produced tangible development projects and increased federal attention for the South-East region.
He said: “The South-East has decided. Our people judge governments by performance and not by political sentiments. The evidence is on the ground.”
“We, the five governors of the South-East, have reviewed all options and decided that we will work with President Bola Tinubu because we want to be part of the Project Nigeria.”
He informed that based on their conviction, the governors would soon embark on a joint courtesy visit to President Tinubu to further strengthen their partnership with the Federal Government.
According to Uzodimma, one of the notable federal government interventions included the establishment of the South East Development Commission (SEDC) as one of the administration’s landmark achievements for the region. He noted that President Tinubu signed the South East Development Commission Act into law in 2024 and ensured that the commission commenced operations with the necessary funding.
The governor described the federal government’s initiative under the Renewed Hope agenda as unprecedented, saying it marked a significant step towards addressing the region’s long-standing developmental challenges.
Uzodimma equally underscored the Federal Government’s approval of a $3 billion reconstruction of the Eastern Rail Corridor, which stretches from Port Harcourt through the South-East to Maiduguri. He noted that the project will improve transportation, facilitate commerce and strengthen regional integration.
He listed the ongoing construction of the Phase 2A and 2B access roads to the Second Niger Bridge as another major intervention. The project includes a dual carriageway linking Umunya, Ogbunike, Ogidi, Nkpor and Asaba, as well as the construction of seven bridges along the axis.
Uzodimma also pointed out that the rehabilitation of the Port Harcourt-Aba rail line and the commencement of commercial operations on the route had reconnected the South-East to the national railway network.
Beyond infrastructure development in the region, the Imo state governor said states in the region were beneficiaries of increased federal allocations, enhanced security efforts and the Federal Government’s student loan programme, NELFUND, which he said had made tertiary education more accessible to the youth in the region.
He called on members of the Imo State Elders Council and traditional rulers to continue to lend their support to the implementation of the state’s Charter of Equity, emphasizing that it serves as the pillar for lasting peace, justice and political stability in the state.
Uzodimma and his colleagues’stand from the South East is not unconnected with increasing political realignments ahead of the 2027 general election.
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