Former governors from the South-East of Nigeria have thrown their weight behind the region’s serving governors for endorsing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election bid.
The endorsement followed a closed-door meeting held in Enugu, where key political stakeholders deliberated on pressing regional and national matters. Speaking after the meeting, former Ebonyi State governor and current Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, revealed that the gathering led to the formation of the South-East Former Governors’ Forum.
According to a statement issued by his spokesperson, Francis Nwaze, the newly formed body is designed to work hand-in-hand with sitting governors in the region. Its core mandate, he noted, is to provide guidance and support on critical policy decisions affecting both the South-East and the country at large.
Umahi emphasized that the forum would serve as an advisory platform, offering strategic counsel to incumbent governors while reinforcing unity within the zone’s political leadership.
In a show of alignment with the federal government, the former governors also commended President Tinubu for what they described as ongoing developmental strides across Nigeria.
Particular praise was directed at infrastructure projects, which they said are making visible impacts in the South-East alongside other regions.
The forum further acknowledged the president’s efforts in appointing individuals from the South-East into key positions, describing the gesture as inclusive and reflective of national balance. They also expressed appreciation for federal support extended to governors in the region.
Reaffirming their stance, Umahi declared that all serving South-East governors are firmly behind Tinubu’s second-term ambition, pledging continued backing from the former governors to sustain that position.
The high-level meeting was attended by notable political figures, including Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, Sullivan Chime, Martin Elechi, Chris Ngige, and Okezie Ikpeazu, all of whom lent their voices to the collective endorsement.
