Former governors of Nigerian South-Eastern states have officially inaugurated the South East Forum of Former Governors, aimed at promoting regional stability and strategic political alignment.
The forum, which held its maiden meeting in Enugu, was established to provide a robust support system and advisory role for the current presiding governors across the five states of the zone on critical regional and national issues.
Reading the communique following the closed-door session, the former Governor of Ebonyi State and current Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, emphasised that the body is a non-partisan platform designed to foster synergy between past and present leadership.
Addressing the media on why some notable figures were absent, Umahi explained that several members, including former governors Ikedi Ohakim, Theodore Orji, and Chimaroke Nnamani, were currently abroad for medical checkups or tied down by prior official engagements.
Despite these absences, the forum expressed high optimism for future participation.
Umahi assured the public that over 90% of all former South East governors are expected to be in attendance at the next scheduled meeting in two weeks.
“The South East Forum of Former Governors is formed today to support our presiding governors and advise them on key zonal and national matters,” Umahi stated.
He noted that membership is open to all former governors of the region, regardless of their current political party affiliations.
The communique further lauded the performance of the current five governors of the South East, commending their dedication to the welfare of the people and the visible progress recorded in their respective states.
The forum highly commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for what they described as an “infrastructure revolution” currently sweeping through the South East and other parts of the country.
The former governors also expressed gratitude to the President for the strategic appointments of South East indigenes into key positions, noting that such moves have fostered a sense of inclusion within the national framework.
Furthermore, the forum acknowledged the financial and administrative assistance provided by the Presidency to the state governors, which they credited for the high level of achievements recorded in infrastructure, empowerment, and security.
In a definitive political statement, the forum declared its total support for the President’s second-term bid.
“We boldly say that all the former governors of the South East are supporting Mr. President’s re-election; this is a product of strategic thinking,” Umahi declared.
Umahi explained that the forum’s primary goal is to “synergise” with the current administration and help educate the populace on the “great work” being executed by the incumbent governors across the zone.
The meeting concluded with a call for regional unity, marking the first time in recent history that such a diverse group of former South East leaders has coalesced into a single, functional advisory body.