Governors of the South- East and South-South states, on Sunday night in Enugu , resolved to pursue inter -regional cooperation and integration in a bid to accelerate the development of the two zones .
The proposed inter- regional alliance is also expected to advance the interests of the South- East and South- South at the federal level .
The decision was taken at a meeting, which held at Nike Lake Resort , Enugu .
It was gathered that the meeting was informed by the ongoing agitation for Biafra in parts of the two geopolitical zones , as well as the campaign for the restructuring of Nigeria along regional lines .
The meeting came on the heels of an earlier parley where Igbo leaders , including the governors of the South-East states , the leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo and the South- East National Assembly caucus declared their support for a ‘ united Nigeria .’
The Igbo leaders rejected Biafra , and instead, opted for restructuring.
Our correspondent learnt that the South- East and South - South governors arrived at the decision to pursue inter -regional cooperation and integration after extensive deliberations on the merits of restructuring during the Sunday night ’ s meeting.
It was further gathered that the governors at the meeting all agreed that restructuring was preferable to secession , as canvassed by pro- Biafran activists including the Indigenous People of Biafra and the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra .
Most of the South -East and South- South states were part of the defunct Republic of Biafra, which the pro -Biafran agitators seek to restore .
In line with the proposed inter -regional cooperation and integration , the South- East and South- South governors resolved to meet again in Port Harcourt, Rivers State , on August 27 .
In the same vein, they chose Akwa Ibom State Governor , Udom Emmanuel , as their chairman .
Addressing journalists after the meeting, Emmanuel pointed out that his emergence as the chairman of the nascent inter - regional alliance was a ‘ unanimous ’ decision .
The Akwa Ibom governor went ahead to disclose the outcome of the meeting, which lasted for about five hours .
He said, “ Having reviewed the state of the nation , particularly as it concerns the South- East and South- South geopolitical zones , we have resolved to pursue inter- regional cooperation of integration for the benefit of the two regions.
“ We have resolved to politically work together and realign as a people that share a common heritage , culture and affinity .”
The Enugu State Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, had , in an address at the opening session of the meeting, stressed the need for cooperation between the South - East and the South-South.
Ugwuanyi noted that the two zones “ are joined by tradition, geography and brotherhood, and also by common challenges .”
He noted that Igbo leaders had already met and agreed “ on a restructured Nigeria , where peace , love , equity and opportunities are paramount, regardless of creed , ethnicity , gender and political affiliations .”
“ It is against this background , therefore, that the meeting of the South- East and the South- South, becomes important , ” Ugwuanyi explained .
The meeting had nearly all the governors in the two zones in attendance .
Apart from Ugwuanyi and Emmanuel , other governors at the meeting include Okezie Ikpeazu , ( Abia ); Rochas Okorocha , ( Imo ); Dave Umahi , ( Ebonyi); Seriake Dickson , ( Bayelsa); Nyesom Wike , ( Rivers); and Ben Ayade, Cross River .
Willie Obiano of Anambra was represented by his deputy , Nkem Okeke .
Godwin Obaseki , Edo , and Ifeanyi Okowa , Delta , were absent .
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