Nigeria’s South East, South South Governors End Second Meeting in Enugu, Call for Dialogue

A meeting of the Governors of Nigeria’s South East and South South geopolitical zones was held Sunday in Enugu even as the body failed to undertake the endorsement of the much vaunted second term plan of President Goodluck Jonathan.

Governors Rochas Okorocha of Imo State , Adams Oshimole of Edo, and their counterpart,  Rotimi Amechi  of Rivers State did not attend the meeting as they did the last time the meeting of the governors of the two zones held in Enugu.

Present at Sunday’s meeting were Governors Liyel Imoke (Cross River), Peter Obi ( Anambra State), Theordore Orji ( Abia) , Sullivan Chime (Enugu), Martin Elechi (Ebonyi), Emmanuel Uduaghan (Delta)  and Godswill Akpabio (Akwa Ibom).  Bayelsa State governor was represented by his deputy, Gboribiogha Jonah.A communique issued  at the end of the governors’ meeting, however, held that only the Nigerian electorate will determine who will be president of the country in 2015 in line with democratic tenets.

Governor Imoke who read the communique on behalf of his colleagues, said that the governors agreed that continued dialogue remained the only route to resolving national issues including the management of the country’s security situation to guarantee its continued corporate existence.

“We note that the determination of who will be president of this country in 2015 will be made by the Nigerian electorate in line with democratic tenets and that the power of the people should not be usurped by any group or individuals.

“We call on the leadership of ASUU and other players to be sensitive to the plight of our children and call off the strike while resolving issues through dialogue”, the communiqué read in part.

The governors commended the security agencies for their efforts in managing security challenges in the threatened part of the country and thanked the Federal Government for the massive reduction in crude oil theft.

They also counselled President Jonathan not to lose focus on governance or to allow himself to be distracted by actions orchestrated by those that are not interested in the country’s progress.

The governors equally agreed to continue to strengthen economic ties between their states.

 

Full text of the communique read:

“The SouthSouth/South East Governors met in Enugu on the 29th day of September to deliberate over issues affecting the Zones and the nation in general.

“After extensive cordial deliberations, the governors of the South South/South East zones resolved to continue to pursue the development of the zones as well as prosecute the various infrastructure projects identified.
“We thank Nigerians for their continued support for the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan who they elected overwhelmingly.

“We urge Mr. President to remain focused on governance and not to allow himself to be distracted.

2015

“We note that the determination of who will be President of this country in 2015 will be made by the Nigerian electorate in line with democratic tenets and the power of the people should not be usurped by any group or individuals.

“We call for continued dialogue at resolving national issues and the management of the security situation in the country to guarantee the continued corporate existence of our great nation.

“We commend the security agencies for their efforts in managing these challenges and commend the federal government for the massive reduction in crude oil theft.

“We call on the leadership of ASUU and other players to be sensitive to the plight of our children and call off the strike while resolving issues through dialogue.

“Finally, as we celebrate our 53rd Independence anniversary, we felicitate with Mr. President and all Nigerians as we resolve to work for the peace and continuous stability of our great nation.”

Attendance:

Governors in attendance at the meeting were Sullivan Chime (Enugu), Peter Obi (Anambra), Liyel Imoke (Cross River) Theodore Orji (Abia), Martin Elechi (Ebonyi) Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan (Delta), Godswill Akapbio (Akwa Ibom) and Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John Jonah (rtd), Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State.