Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma has urged the South-East region to abandon its opposition politics stance and engage with the federal government to secure political benefits. Speaking at a high-level meeting with South-East stakeholders in Owerri, Uzodimma emphasized the need for a new approach. He noted that the region's current method of complaining about political deprivation is not yielding desired results.
Uzodimma stressed that the Nigerian Project is more important than any regional project, and the South-East must work with other regions to negotiate its interests. He advised against relying on opposition politics, which he believes has not been beneficial to the region. Instead, Uzodimma called for a collaborative approach, where stakeholders work together to achieve common goals.
The governor highlighted a significant disparity between the South-East and other regions, noting that leaders from the South-South, Middle Belt, and North-East have met with the President, while the South-East continues to feel marginalized. He encouraged stakeholders to compile a clear, evidence-based list of the region's needs to present to the President as a basis for negotiation.
Uzodimma emphasized that the South-East governors are merely servants, and the power and sovereignty belong to the people. He urged stakeholders to work together, forgetting about local competitions, and take bold decisions to drive progress. The governor's call for a new approach is seen as a move to reposition the South-East in Nigeria's political landscape.
Uzodimma's address was part of a high-level meeting at the Imo State Government House, attended by various stakeholders from the South-East region. He reiterated the need for the region to change its style and focus on negotiating with other regions to secure results. The governor's message was clear: the South-East must adapt to a new political reality to achieve its goals.
To achieve this, Uzodimma suggested that stakeholders should draw up statistics of what the region wants and meet with the President for possible negotiations. He believes that this approach will help to address the region's concerns and secure its interests. The governor's proposal has sparked a renewed debate about the South-East's political strategy and its role in Nigeria's federal system.
The Imo State governor's call for a shift from opposition politics has significant implications for the region's future. As the South-East continues to navigate Nigeria's complex political landscape, Uzodimma's message serves as a reminder that a new approach is needed to achieve progress and secure the region's interests.
Key points
- Uzodimma urges South-East to abandon opposition politics and engage with the federal government.
