Imo State Governor and Chairman of the South-East Governors’ Forum, Hope Uzodimma, says the five South-East governors have resolved to support President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027, citing what he described as the administration’s significant investments in infrastructure and development across the region.
Speaking at a meeting with the Imo State Elders Council and traditional rulers in Owerri, Uzodimma said the governors had assessed the Tinubu administration’s performance in the South-East and unanimously agreed to align with the President’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
“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 deepen cooperation with the Federal Government.
According to the governor, the decision was influenced by several federal projects in the region, including the establishment of the South East Development Commission (SEDC), which he described as a long-standing demand fulfilled by the Tinubu administration.
Uzodimma noted that President Tinubu signed the South East Development Commission Act into law on July 24, 2024, inaugurated its governing board in February 2025, and ensured the commission began operations with funding.
He also highlighted the rehabilitation and commercial resumption of the Port Harcourt to Aba rail line and the approved $3 billion reconstruction of the Eastern Rail Corridor from Port Harcourt to Maiduguri as major infrastructure projects expected to improve commerce and regional integration.
The governor further pointed to ongoing road projects, including the Phase 2A and 2B access roads to the Second Niger Bridge, the Otuocha-Anam-Abaji Road, and the Oba-Nnewi-Uga-Ihube/Okigwe Junction Road, saying they would strengthen economic connectivity within the South-East and beyond.
Uzodimma also said the region had benefited from broader national policies, including increased allocations to states, the student loan scheme, security initiatives and fiscal reforms.
“The South-East has decided. Our people judge governments by performance and not by political sentiments. The evidence is on the ground,” he said.
On state affairs, the governor urged stakeholders to support the implementation of Imo State’s Charter of Equity, describing it as essential for political stability, fairness and peaceful power rotation.
He insisted that his successor must emerge in line with the Charter of Equity and pledged to defend the law against any attempt to undermine it.
Uzodimma also called for greater investment in skills acquisition and vocational education as part of efforts to tackle youth unemployment, reduce crime and promote sustainable economic growth in Imo State.
The comments were made during his engagement with the Imo State Elders Council and traditional rulers in Owerri.
