FIC Report (Imo State) – The Imo State Governor and Chairman of the South-East Governors’ Forum, Senator Hope Uzodimma, has stated that the five governors of the South-East have agreed to back President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid, attributing the decision to the administration’s infrastructure projects and economic interventions across the South-East.
Addressing members of the Imo State Elders’ Council and traditional rulers in Owerri , Governor Hope Uzodimma said the South-East governors had assessed the Tinubu administration’s performance in the region and have collectively resolved to support the President’s Renewed Hope Agenda, pointing to the visible developmental projects and federal interventions executed across the zone.
Senator Uzodinma also disclosed that the governors had concluded that the South-East should remain part of the national development agenda, adding that they would soon pay a joint courtesy visit to President Tinubu to further deepen collaboration with the Federal Government.
He further reiterated that the governors’ decision was also predicated on the Tinubu administration’s interventions in the South-East, notably the establishment of the South East Development Commission (SEDC), which he signed into law in July 2024, inaugurated its Governing Board in February 2025 and ensured the commission became fully operational through the provision of funding. This, he said fulfilled a long-standing regional demand.
Governor Uzodimma also cited the upgrade and commercial resumption of the Port Harcourt–Aba rail line, the proposed $3 billion reconstruction of the Eastern Rail Corridor from Port Harcourt to Maiduguri, and ongoing road projects, including the Second Niger Bridge access roads, the Otuocha–Anam–Abaji Road and the Oba–Nnewi–Uga–Ihube/Okigwe Junction Road.
He further said the South-East had benefited from broader national policies of the Tinubu administration, including increased allocations to states, student loan programmes, security improvements and fiscal reforms aimed at stimulating economic growth.
While maintaining that the region would continue to assess governments based on performance rather than political rhetoric, the governor said the visible federal projects justified the South-East’s decision to support the President
Regarding state affairs, Senator Uzodimma called on the Imo State Elders’ Council and traditional rulers to uphold the state’s Charter of Equity, describing it as a legal framework for promoting fairness, political inclusion and lasting peace.He noted that the Charter, enacted by the Imo State House of Assembly, was introduced to institutionalize equitable rotation of political power and ensure that no part of the state is left out. He insisted that his successor must emerge in accordance with the Charter of Equity and possess the integrity, fairness and commitment needed to sustain the achievements of his administration.
He cautioned against any attempt to subvert the Charter of Equity for partisan interests, pledging to protect the law as a means of preserving peace and political stability in Imo State.
Senator Uzodimma also called for greater investment in vocational training and skills acquisition, describing youth empowerment as key to reducing unemployment, curbing crime and driving sustainable economic growth.
He then called on traditional rulers to sustain their support for government initiatives aimed at preserving peace, advancing development, and strengthening inclusive governance across Imo State.
AKUSHIE, CHIOMA MARK HELEN.
HOC. FIC. OWERRI
23/07/2026
