Governors of the six South-South states have declared their full support for President Bola Tinubu’s bid for re-election in 2027, while unveiling plans to transform the region into one of Nigeria’s strongest economic blocs.
The governors made their position known at the second meeting of the South-South Governors’ Forum, held in Calabar on Monday and chaired by Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri.
At the meeting, the governors pledged “100 per cent” support for Tinubu’s 2027 presidential ambition and resolved to work collectively to advance the economic and developmental interests of the region.
Beyond politics, the forum agreed on a number of measures aimed at deepening economic integration among the six states.
Key areas identified included the development of regional rail infrastructure, rehabilitation of major seaports, industrialisation, improved security cooperation and the creation of stronger economic corridors linking the states.
The governors specifically identified the Calabar, Port Harcourt and Warri seaports, as well as the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, as strategic infrastructure projects capable of boosting trade and investment across the region.
They also agreed to hold the forum’s meetings quarterly, with Akwa Ibom State capital, Uyo, scheduled to host the next meeting from November 6 to 8, 2026.
Otu Calls for One Regional Voice
Cross River State Governor and Vice Chairman of the forum, Senator Bassey Otu, urged South-South leaders to speak with one voice when engaging the Federal Government on issues affecting the region.
“We must come together as a people; we must cooperate, and we must ensure that our voice is heard and respected,” Otu said.
He said the region possessed the resources and strategic advantages required to become one of Nigeria’s most formidable economic blocs.
Otu also called for a common position on issues of fiscal equity, including Value Added Tax, oil and gas revenues and the 13 per cent derivation principle.
The Cross River governor further sought the support of his colleagues for the state’s efforts to regain its oil-producing status.
He proposed the creation of a regional economic corridor connecting the Bakassi Deep Seaport with the East-West Road and ports in Bayelsa and Delta states.
According to him, the region must move beyond dependence on raw resource extraction and focus more on value addition, particularly through cassava processing, ethanol production and other agro-industrial activities.
Diri Demands Results, Not More Communiqués
In his opening remarks, Governor Diri stressed that the success of the South-South Governors’ Forum should be measured by the impact of its decisions rather than the number of meetings held.
“We cannot afford to remain a region of meetings and communiqués. The meeting must produce movement,” Diri said.
He called for concrete implementation of the forum’s resolutions, insisting that they must lead to measurable improvements in the lives of residents across the region.
Diri also outlined an ambitious vision of positioning the South-South as “Nigeria’s gas-industrial hub, West Africa’s maritime gateway and the country’s leading blue-economy zone.”
However, he raised concerns about the environmental degradation affecting communities in the Niger Delta and called for increased efforts to address the damage.
“We cannot continue to produce the wealth while communities remain surrounded by environmental devastation,” he said.
Security and Regional Investment
The governors also resolved to improve intelligence-sharing and coordinate security operations across the six states.
The move is aimed at protecting oil and gas infrastructure, communities and major economic corridors from security threats.
The forum further agreed to engage directly with the Federal Government, including President Tinubu, on infrastructure development, environmental concerns and other issues affecting the region.
The meeting also featured a presentation by the Director-General of the BRACED Commission, Ambassador Joe Keshi, on regional rail development.
PANDEF National Chairman, Ambassador Godknows Igali, equally called for the establishment of a regional investment fund and greater attention to youth-focused economic development.
The governors ultimately reaffirmed their commitment to regional cooperation and economic integration, while pledging full political support for President Tinubu ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
