In a gathering aimed at charting a unified path for the South East, political, traditional, religious and business leaders convened in Owerri, Imo State, on Thursday to discuss unity, infrastructure and development. The meeting, held in the Banquet Hall of Government House and chaired by Senator Gen. Ike Nwachukwu, produced a nine‑point communiqué that outlines a roadmap for the region’s future.
Governor Hope Uzodimma, who hosted the event, urged the leaders to move beyond “incessant lamentation on marginalisation” and to negotiate their interests directly with the Federal Government. “Unite, rethink your political strategies and collectively negotiate the interests of the Southeast with the Federal Government,” he said, calling for a shift from internal divisions to strategic collaboration.
Key demands emerging from the forum include restructuring Nigeria into six geopolitical zones, securing federal approval for a private South‑East seaport, and tying support for presidential candidates to binding commitments on regional rail and gas infrastructure. The stakeholders also called for a permanent secretariat to monitor implementation and a presidential meeting to address the region’s concerns.
Senator Gen. Ike Nwachukwu highlighted the need to “rise above partisan differences” and stressed that the South East could achieve large‑scale projects—such as the Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport—through unity. Former Governor of Anambra State, Senator Jim Nwobodo, echoed this sentiment, advocating regular, rotating meetings among the six states to strengthen consultation.
Other speakers, including former Senate President Anyim Pius Anyim and Ohanaeze Ndigbo Chairman Chief Ozichukwu Chukwu, urged strategic political engagement, youth empowerment and economic integration. Chief Chukwu also called for the release of Nnamdi Kanu, describing him as a “prisoner of conscience,” and declared that “we are not beggars. We are asking for our rights.”
Overall, the forum resolved to present a unified regional voice, urging governors to end public disputes and collaborate on infrastructure and prosperity. The leaders concluded that the South East must remain actively involved in Nigeria’s political process, warning that withdrawal or fragmentation would undermine the region’s common interests.
<small>Source: The Sun Nigeria — read the original story there.</small>
