Imo State Governor and Chairman of the South-East Governors’ Forum, Hope Uzodimma, has said the five governors of the South-East have resolved to support President Bola Tinubu’s re-election in 2027, citing what he described as the administration’s commitment to the region through major infrastructure and economic initiatives.
Uzodimma made the disclosure during a meeting with the Imo State Elders Council and traditional rulers in Owerri, where he said the governors had assessed the Tinubu administration’s performance in the South-East and agreed to align with the President’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
According to him, the decision was based on what the governors consider tangible federal interventions across the region rather than political considerations.
“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,” Uzodimma said.
He added that the governors would soon pay a joint courtesy visit to President Tinubu to strengthen collaboration between the South-East and the Federal Government.
Uzodimma said the administration had addressed several long-standing developmental concerns in the region, particularly the establishment of the South East Development Commission (SEDC), a demand that had remained unresolved since the end of the Nigerian Civil War.
He noted that Tinubu signed the South East Development Commission Act into law on July 24, 2024, inaugurated the commission’s governing board in February 2025 and ensured it commenced operations with funding.
The governor also highlighted the rehabilitation and commencement of commercial operations on the Port Harcourt–Aba rail line, describing it as a significant step towards reconnecting the South-East to Nigeria’s rail network.
He further commended the President for approving the $3 billion reconstruction of the Eastern Rail Corridor from Port Harcourt through the South-East to Maiduguri, saying the project would boost commerce and regional integration.
On road infrastructure, Uzodimma praised the Federal Government for executing the Phase 2A and 2B access roads to the Second Niger Bridge, including the dual carriageway linking Umunya, Ogbunike, Ogidi, Nkpor and Asaba, with seven bridges along the corridor.
He also cited the approval of the 108-kilometre Otuocha–Anam–Abaji Road and the 150-kilometre Oba–Nnewi–Uga–Ihube/Okigwe Junction Road, projects he said would improve connectivity across the South-East.
Beyond regional projects, the governor said the South-East had benefited from national policies of the Tinubu administration, including increased allocations to states, the student loan programme, improved security efforts and fiscal reforms aimed at stimulating economic growth.
“The South-East has decided. Our people judge governments by performance and not by political sentiments. The evidence is on the ground,” he said.
Turning to state affairs, Uzodimma urged the Imo State Elders Council and traditional rulers to continue supporting the implementation of the state’s Charter of Equity, describing it as the foundation for lasting peace, justice and political stability.
He recalled that when he assumed office in 2020, he inherited a politically divided state and initiated reforms aimed at promoting inclusiveness and restoring public confidence in governance.
According to him, the Charter of Equity, now backed by legislation passed by the Imo State House of Assembly, was designed to institutionalise fairness in the rotation of political power and ensure every part of the state has a sense of belonging.
“The Charter of Equity is real, and I need your mandate to implement it because that is what will bring lasting peace to Imo State,” he said.
Uzodimma maintained that his successor must emerge in line with the Charter of Equity and possess the integrity, fairness and commitment needed to sustain the achievements of his administration.
He warned against attempts to undermine the arrangement for political gain, declaring that he would defend the law.
“I will take the fight personally to protect the Charter of Equity. I will stop at nothing,” he said.
The governor also called for greater investment in skills acquisition and vocational education, saying equipping young people with practical skills would help reduce unemployment, curb crime and promote sustainable economic growth.
He urged traditional rulers to continue supporting government initiatives aimed at maintaining peace, fostering development and ensuring lasting stability across Imo State.
