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Tag: south east governors

  • Umahi: All Southeast Governors backing Tinubu for second term

    Umahi: All Southeast Governors backing Tinubu for second term

    Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, has said that all governors from the Southeast, regardless of party affiliation, are united in their support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election bid, recognizing his commitment to fairness, national cohesion, and infrastructural development.

    Umahi, a former Governor of Ebonyi State, disclosed that plans are underway to convene a regional political summit where Southeast leaders will officially endorse President Tinubu for a second term. Speaking during a government documentary marking Tinubu’s second year in office, Umahi emphasized that the President’s inclusive governance and tangible achievements have earned him broad regional backing.

    He also urged prominent Southeast leaders, including former Anambra Governor and Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, to support Tinubu’s 2027 bid. Although Obi secured over 90% of the Southeast votes in 2023, Umahi called for unity, noting that leadership should prioritize the people’s benefit over personal ambition.

    Currently, only two of the Southeast’s five governors are members of the ruling APC: Hope Uzodimma (Imo) and Francis Nwifuru (Ebonyi). The remaining states are led by Governor Peter Mbah (PDP, Enugu), Alex Otti (Labour Party, Abia), and Charles Soludo (APGA, Anambra). Soludo recently expressed support for President Tinubu during his visit to Anambra. Though Mbah has not made a formal statement, he is believed to admire the President’s leadership.

    President Tinubu is expected to visit Umuahia, Abia State, on Friday, further strengthening federal ties with the region.

    Also on Tuesday, Akwa Ibom Governor Umo Eno, speaking after meeting Vice President Kashim Shettima, said Tinubu’s performance warrants nationwide support. His remarks echoed Umahi’s statement, which was also shared by Presidential Adviser Bayo Onanuga.

    Highlighting federal efforts in the region, Umahi noted that the Southeast is seeing an unprecedented level of engagement, especially in infrastructure development. Key projects include the Port Harcourt–Enugu, Enugu–Abakaliki, Enugu–Onitsha, and Onitsha–Owerri highways, alongside the Second Niger Bridge, of which Tinubu has already funded 30%.

    “For the first time, the Southeast has a Minister of Works—not just symbolically, but strategically,” Umahi said. “These are not promises; they are projects with visible impact.”

    Reflecting on past concerns of regional marginalization, Umahi said the Southeast now feels a growing sense of inclusion under Tinubu’s administration. “As governor and deputy governor in Ebonyi, we often lamented the absence of federal presence. That has changed. Today, we have four major federal projects ongoing in our state alone.”

    He said Tinubu’s governance style has rekindled optimism and reshaped the region’s sense of national belonging. “The Igbo are naturally industrious; all we ask for is fairness and opportunity—and this administration is delivering that.”

    Umahi added that the upcoming summit will reinforce unity, fast-track project execution, and deepen national integration. He called on Peter Obi to join efforts to move the region forward: “If someone is delivering what you intended to do for your people, support them. Let’s stand united behind the President.”

    Providing updates on major federal projects, Umahi said 80% of Section 1 of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway—from Ahmadu Bello Way to the Lekki Deep Sea Port—has been completed, with tolling to begin in December. He described the road as a “corridor of growth” featuring solar-powered lights, CCTV systems, and potential for carbon credits.

    He also mentioned that Sections 3 and 3B of the highway, covering Cross River and Akwa Ibom, have been inaugurated with strong local support. Umahi traced the revival of the Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway—originally conceived by President Shehu Shagari—as part of Tinubu’s vision to activate long-dormant economic corridors.

    Other transformative routes include the Trans-Saharan Trade Route and the Ogun-Ondo-Niger Corridor, which Umahi described as “legacy projects” critical to Nigeria’s economic future.

    He concluded by crediting Tinubu with the original vision for the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, conceived seven years ago: “Now he is bringing that vision to life, demonstrating consistent leadership and a long-term commitment to national development.”

  • Obasanjo denies discussing Kanu`s release with S/East governors

    Obasanjo denies discussing Kanu`s release with S/East governors

    Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has denied discussing the release of Nnamdi Kanu with the South East governors in Enugu on Tuesday.

    This is contained in a statement by the Special Assistant on Media to the former President, Kehinde Akinyemi on Wednesday in Abeokuta.

    He said that contrary to media reports, the former President and Chief Emeka Anyaoku met with the governors on their own invitation to discuss regional development issues.

    Akinyemi said that the purported release of Kanu by the Federal Government was not part of it.

    He said that the regional development issues include security and infrastructure, economic and cooperative collaboration among others.

    “The meeting with them was at my invitation and of  Anyaoku before their summit began.

    “The issue of Nnamdi Kanu was not on the agenda and was not discussed in my presence,” the statement quoted Obasanjo.

  • Ohanaeze tasks South-East governors on sit-at-home, proffers solutions

    Ohanaeze tasks South-East governors on sit-at-home, proffers solutions

    Apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo worldwide has tasked the South-East governors to end the ongoing sit-at- home while proffering solutions to myriads of issues confronting the zone.

    Ohanaeze said that the zone was known as one of the peaceful region in the country but now, has been plunged into various Challenges including sit-at-home orders and violent agitations.

    A statement on Saturday signed by the Secretary-general, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, suggested a 40-days period by South-East governors and stakeholders to save the economy of the region from collapsing.

    According to the body, Ohanaeze believes that it is crucial for the governors to separate criminals, kidnappers, cultists, armed robbers, and killer herdsmen, from genuine Biafra agitators.

    The statement argued that street urchins and criminals have hijacked the enforcement of the sit-at-home orders by using it as a cover to unleash violence on innocent civilians of the zone.

    “It asserted that the security agents must recognize the reality on ground.one of the notable concern raised by Ohanaeze Ndigbo is the alleged involvement of Simon Ekpa in inciting violence in the South East.

    “Ohanaeze claims that Simon Ekpa is using criminals to cause chaos and that the Southeast Governors seem helpless in addressing this issue. Ohanaeze Ndigbo proposes that the governors put aside their pride and accept help from the organization.

    “They asserted that by listening to Ohanaeze Ndigbo’s homemade solutions, the governors can restore peace in the Southeast within the next 40 days.

    “In order to effectively address the Challenges in the Southeast, it is imperative for all stakeholders to come together and collaborate. Ohanaeze Ndigbo, as the apex Igbo socio-cultural organization, can play a significant role in fostering unity and dialogue.

    It stated that the security agents must take appropriate action to ensure that law and order are maintained while respecting the rights of the people by restoring peace and stability in the South-East states.

  • Sit at home: Ohanaeze lauds South-east governors, comdenms Abuja meeting

    Sit at home: Ohanaeze lauds South-east governors, comdenms Abuja meeting

    Apex lgbo socio-cultural Organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo worldwide, has Commended the South-east governors for showing interest to halt the sit-at-home ordered in zone.

    But Ohanaeze added that the outcome of Abuja meeting with lgbo leaders has shown there is no answers in sight to end the insecurity challenges that had hampered the socioeconomic and social activities in the South-east region.

    A statement signed and issued on Sunday by the Secretary- General, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, tackled the South-East governors and leaders adding that the situation at hand is beyond their control.

    According to the statement, the choice of Abuja where lgbo predicaments were discussed makes a caricature of it, as is a clear indication that the conveners and those behind the meetings have lost the control of the South-East to non- State actors.

    “Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide has commended the Southeast Governors for showing interest to halt the Sit-at- home orders in the Southeast, but the outcome of their Abuja meeting with Igbo leaders has shown that there are no answers in sight to end the insecurity challenges and Sit at Home order that had incapacitated the economic and social activities in the Southeast.

    “Even one of the Southeast Governors acknowledged that the situation at hand is beyond their control,and the choice of Abuja venue where Igbo predicaments were discussed makes a caricature of it, as it is a clear indication that the conveners and those behind the meetings have lost the control of the southeast to non-state actors and are frightened to convene such meetings in the Southeast, a proof of negligence and defeat”.

    “Ndigbo should know that the solution to end the Sit at Home orders is in the Southeast not in Abuja,In search for peace and to stabilize the Southeast, we have met today (Sunday) with critical stakeholders and nonviolent Biafra agitators on consultative sessions to find out remedies and the best approach to resolve the problem and end it once and for all.

    The body faulted the council of Elders of Ohanaeze Ndigbo led by Prince Richard Ozobu on why should some Igbo Political leaders who have abandoned their States in the East, should now converge in a foreign land at Abuja and resort to help of foreigners to resolve a matter of Igbo affairs with homemade solutions.

    Stating that Biafra agitators should be conscious of the fact that wrecking down the economy of the southeast and killing innocent citizens through Sit a Home Order would never affect the activities of Federal Government in any way.

    It started that the silence of the Past and Present-day Federal Government shows that so far as there is no disruption of oil and gas exploration or threat to national security, Southeast self-inflicted insecurity should go on and devour the Ndigbo.

    “The sit-at-home orders are here in South East not in Abuja and the reasons why those who are opposing the release of Nnamdi Kanu from the Niger Delta and the North, is that they comprehend that some set of political Igbo Leaders are Toothless bulldogs who has lost the control of the southeast to the non-state actors.

  • Insecurity: South East Govs condemn IPOB’s sit-at-home directive, to launch Ebube Agu in all five states before end of year

    Insecurity: South East Govs condemn IPOB’s sit-at-home directive, to launch Ebube Agu in all five states before end of year

    The South-East Governors Forum has said that the ‘Ebube Agu’ security outfit will be established in all southeast states before the end of the year.

    The governors said this as part of their eight-point agenda during a meeting that took place at the Enugu State Government House on Tuesday.

    “The meeting agreed that the South-East Ebube Agu security outfit be launched in all the southeast states and laws passed in various southeast states before the end of 2021,” the communique read.

    The security outfit was established in April as part of plans to checkmate the rising unrest in the region, stemming from an increase in criminal activities.

    Meanwhile, the governors also condemned the sit-at-home orders, which according to them, are mostly issued by people in the diaspora who do not feel their pains.

    “In view of the information that even IPOB had cancelled the sit-at-home, the meeting resolved that governors and all people of the South-East do everything within the law to ensure that there is no further sit-at-home in the South-East and that people are allowed to freely move about in the zone”.

    Speaking about the November 6 Anambra governorship elections, the governors resolved to show their support and also directed security agencies to ensure a peaceful election in the state.

    They commended all groups and clergymen for their efforts at interfacing with the youths and called for continuous dialogues to further the development in the state.

  • JUST IN: South East Governors distance selves from violent secessionist groups, declare support for united Nigeria

    JUST IN: South East Governors distance selves from violent secessionist groups, declare support for united Nigeria

    Members of the South East Governors’ Forum have condemned the activities of secessionist groups in the region and other parts of the country.

    They distanced themselves from the agitations of such groups and frowned on the violence that ensued which led to the loss of lives and destruction of properties.

    In a bid to tackle the security challenges and restore peace in the region, the governors went beyond their political differences and met on Saturday in Enugu State.

    “We condemn in totality, the activities of violent secessionist groups in the South East and elsewhere; we firmly proclaim that we do not support them, they do not speak for South East,” said the Chairman of the Forum and Ebonyi State Governor, David Umahi, at the end of the meeting.

    He added, “The impression that South East leaders are silent over some of our youths’ agitations for secession is not correct.

    “South East Governors, Ohanaeze President, National Assembly members, notable leaders had come out publicly many times in the past to speak against such agitations. In order not to mismanage the unfortunate situation, South East leaders have set up a committee to engage such youths to stop and allow elders speak to address such fears.”

    The governors noted threats by some groups against the people of the region and promised to protect everyone – from the South East and other regions.

    They, however, pleaded with leaders of other regions to protect the Igbos living in their regions.

    The forum also condemned the killing of security agencies, burning of strategic infrastructure, and killing of civilians in the South East and other regions.

    They appealed to the security agencies to discharge their duties within the rules of engagement and the law, as well as urged the members of the National Assembly from the South East to support the creation of state police in the ongoing constitutional amendment.

    “We, the Igbos do reaffirm our commitment to one united Nigeria under a platform of justice, equity of rights, fairness, love, and respect for one another.

    “The meeting endorsed our South East joint security outfit – Ebubeagu and asked them to work with security agencies and to respect the rights and privileges of all those living in South East and our visitors,” Governor Umahi said while reading the communique issued at the end of the meeting.

    Also at the meeting were the Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige; Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Uche Ogah; and former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Pius Anyim, as well as religious and traditional leaders, among others.

  • Insecurity: Southeast govs, leaders meet in Enugu, give update on ‘Ebube Agu’

    Insecurity: Southeast govs, leaders meet in Enugu, give update on ‘Ebube Agu’

    Governors and leaders of the South East states meet on Sunday in Enugu insisting that its newly formed regional security outfit, ‘Ebube Agu’ will soon be operational.

    The governors said the legal framework for Ebube Agu has been set in motion.

    They directed attorneys-general of the five states to propose laws to give the outfit a legal teeth.

    “The attorneys-general and commissioners for Justice of the Southeast states have been directed to work with the Joint Security Committee to come up with the amendment of the existing state laws to reflect the new Ebube Agu outfit,” they said.

    TheNewsGuru.con, TNG reports that the governors launched Ebube Agu (glory of a tiger) on April 11 to address the region’s worsening insecurity.

    Several police stations have been attacked and officers killed in the last three months, across the Southeast states.

    The governors, who met in Enugu on Sunday, set up an Advisory Board for Ebube Agu after agreeing on its structure and operational modalities.

    The decision forecloses the call by separatist Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) for the scrapping of Ebube Agu.

    The governors condemned Saturday’s attack on the country home of Imo State Governor Hope Uzodinma.

    The gunmen first shot two security men at Oguta junction, killed six guards at Uzodimma’s home before setting the house ablaze. The police confirmed three dead.

    It followed the killing of a man simply identified as Ikonso, said to be the commander of the Eastern Security Network (ESN), a security arm of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

    Ikonso was accused of coordinating the April 5 attack on the Imo police headquarters and the correctional centre in Owerri, in which 38 vehicles were burnt and 1,844 inmates freed.

    The Southeast Governors Forum, in a communique read by its Chairman and Governor of Ebonyi State David Umahi, said Ebube Agu would work with security agencies.

    “The meeting condemns the attacks on the country home of the Governor Uzodimma and other state infrastructure.

    “We sympathise with him and call on the Federal Government to fish out the perpetrators and ensure their prosecution,” the governors said.

    The Forum directed Ohanaeze Ndigbo President-General Prof. George Obiozor to set up within 10 days a Peace and Reconciliation Committee and a Strategy and Welfare Committee.

    The committees have the mandates to “engage our people for the peace and security of our people and visitors” and to “engage and protect our people, especially those who are being unfairly treated”.

    The governors reiterated their call for state police and restructuring of the country.

    “The meeting is in support of restructuring, the setting up of state police and other national issues as discussed in the last National Executive Council (NEC) meeting.

    “A committee has been set up to work out acceptable modalities and submit them to NEC in its next meeting,” the governors said

    The meeting also restated the ban on open grazing in the region.

    “Southeast leaders restate their commitments to our state laws banning open grazing in the Southeast and urge the security agencies and the local vigilantes to enforce the ban in all states of Southeast.

    “Southeast governors agreed on the implementation of various #ENDSARS youth empowerment programmes in the Southeast states as soon as possible,” they added.

    Governors of Enugu and Abia also attended the meeting; those of Anambra and Imo were represented by their deputies.

    Also present were Prof Obiozor; Obi of Onitsha Igwe Alfred Achebe; Archbishop of Enugu Ecclesiastical Province, Anglican Communion, Rev. Emmanuel Chukwuma; former Governor of old Anambra State Chief Jim Nwobodo, elder statesmen Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, among others.

  • Gunmen attack Ebonyi community hours after S’East Govs launch ‘Ebube Agu’

    Gunmen attack Ebonyi community hours after S’East Govs launch ‘Ebube Agu’

    The Commissioner of Police in Ebonyi, Aliyu Garba, confirmed on Monday that gunmen attacked another community in Ohaukwu Local Government Area (LGA) of the state on Sunday.

    Garba told newsmen that the gunmen attacked Ebele village, Umuogodo Akpu, Mgbo in the LGA.

    TheNewsGuru.com, TNG reports that some unknown gunmen earlier attacked five communities in the state – Egedege, Obegu, Amazu, Nkalagu and Umuhuali on March 29.

    A number of persons were reported killed in that attack.

    Garba said: “on the effects of Sunday attack, it is yet to be ascertained. We are yet to get any report from there and I have not been around. I am waiting for the report.’’

    Mr Stanley Okoro-Emegha, Commissioner for Internal Security and Border Peace, also said he was yet to get details of the attack.

    “They said it was communal crisis, while others said it was herdsmen who carried out the attack, but we do not know the people behind the attack yet.

    “We cannot say exactly what happened although we heard about the attack this morning (Monday).

    “Nobody has called to say somebody died or property destroyed, but we shall find out.

    “Right now, we do not know who is responsible,’’ Emegha said.

    Governors in the southeast rose from a meeting in Owerri on Sunday where they deliberated on rising wave of insecurity in the region.

    At the end of the meeting, they jointly endorsed the formation of a region-wide security organisation tagged “Ebube Agu” (fear of a lion).

    The governors and heads of security agencies in the region signed a communiqué to maintain the joint security outfit.

    The communique read in part: “after discussions on the current security challenges in the southeast and with valuable contributions from participants at the security summit in Owerri, it was resolved as follows:

    “To strongly and unequivocally condemn terrorism and banditry in any part of Nigeria, particularly in the Southeast.

    “The meeting strongly condemned the burning of police stations, violent attacks on custodial centres with the unlawful release of inmates, and the killings including security personnel, natives/farmers and herdsmen.

    “That the political leadership in the southeast has resolved to bring together all the arsenals at their command, as one united zone, to fight and flush out criminals and terrorist from the zone.

    “That the heads of all the security agencies in the southeast have resolved to exchange intelligence in a seamless, effective new order that will help to checkmate crime in the zone.

    “That to fast track crime-busting in the southeast, the heads of security agencies have been mandated to draw up a comprehensive list of their logistics and material needs for sustainable success in the fight against criminality, for the immediate provision by the leadership of the southeast.

    “That a committee made up of security personnel, government officials and relevant stakeholders be set up to coordinate and monitor the implementation of the southeast joint security platform.

    “The meeting resolved to maintain a joint security vigilante for the southeast, otherwise known as Ebube Agu.

    In attendance were governors of Abia, Okezuo Ikpeazu; Anambra, Willie Obiano; Enugu, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi; Ebonyi, Dave Umahi; and the host governor, Hope Uzodimma.

    Also in attendance at the security summit was the President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo worldwide, Prof. George Obiozor as well as top security chiefs in the zone.

  • Why South-East Governors launched ‘Ebube Agu’ – Ikpeazu

    Why South-East Governors launched ‘Ebube Agu’ – Ikpeazu

    Abia State Governor, Okezie Ikpeazu, has explained why South East governors formed their own regional security outfit, ‘Ebube Agu’.

    Ikpeazu who spoke on Sunday on a monitored Channels Television programme said the new security outfit would oversee and monitor the activities of vigilante groups in the region.

    “Today we have come together to synergise and see how best we can protect lives and properties of citizens within this geopolitical zone,” he said.

    “Security situation across Nigeria as it is today is dynamic. We are just trying to respond to our peculiar circumstances in the southeast.”

    When asked if the new security outfit would bear arms and wear uniforms, Governor Ikpeazu neither confirmed nor denied it.

    The Abia governor explained that he and his colleagues from Anambra, Imo, Ebonyi and Enugu would cooperate to ensure that operatives of EBUBE AGU would be properly equipped.

    “Ebube Agu would be a security outfit both in name, purpose and action. It will be properly equipped. I want to assure you that all the states in the southeast already has various vigilante outfits.

    “In Abia, we call our own ‘the Homeland Security outfit.’ In Enugu, it is called the Forest Guards. But we want to call for a harmonised synergised system of action to be able to compare notes to be able to set up digital platforms that can respond to communication challenges,” he added.

    Speaking further, Ikpeazu said the new outfit would be rural-based, adding “it is also going to be intelligence-based.

    The governor also spoke on his administration’s strides in Abia, noting that the state since his assumption into office in 2015 “remains one of the safest states in Nigeria and we have statistics to show for that.

    On his political future in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), under whose platform he was elected in 2015 and re-elected in 2019, Ikpeazu reiterated his commitment to remain in the party.

    His remarks come shortly after governors from the South East established a security outfit called EBUBE AGU as part of plans to checkmate the rising unrest in the region, stemming from an increase in criminal activities.

    According to a communique put out by governors of the Southeast, the agency is to oversee and monitor the activities of vigilante groups in the region.

    Chairman of the Southeast Governors Forum, Dave Umahi who read the statement after a meeting in Imo State, noted that the headquarters of EBUBE AGU security outfit will be in Enugu state.

  • South East governors, leaders vow to resist killings

    South East governors, leaders vow to resist killings

    Governors and leaders of the southeast geo-political zone have vowed to resist further loss of lives and properties in the zone, in the name of #EndSARS protests, promising to protect every Nigerian resident in the zone.

    Rising from a meeting in Enugu yesterday, the five governors of the zone, leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, National Assembly members, religious and traditional rulers stated that they were committed to addressing the concerns of youths in the zone, even as they asked the people to move about their legitimate businesses without fear.

    They also agreed to set up a relief fund for victims of the protests in the five states.

    A communiqué read by Governor Dave Umahi of Ebonyi State, who is chairman of Southeast Governors’ Forum (SEGF), added: “We sympathise with families of the victims, including the police and other security agencies, of the recent disturbances that followed the #EndSARS agitations.

    “The South East will engage our youths to ensure sustainable peace in the South East and a glorious future for our children.”

    The governors advised the youths to discontinue the destruction of lives and properties, while they work to meet their demands.

    “We, therefore, direct all Igbo, both in and outside Nigeria, to go about their businesses and not participate in any form of unlawful protest and criminality.

    “We offer to protect all ethnic groups living in the South East and thank other parts of Nigeria for protecting our people in their areas,” the communiqué added.