Governors Rotimi Amaechi, Rochas Okorocha and Adams Oshiomhole of Rivers, Imo and Edo respectively, on Sunday boycotted the meeting of South East, South South governors held in Enugu. They belong to the All Progressives Congress (APC) as well as Amaechi’s faction of the Nigerian Governors Forum. No reason was given for their absence.
At the meeting, the Governors expressed their commitment to the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan and to improve economic cooperation in the two zones.
Addressing newsmen at the end of their meeting in Enugu on Sunday, Gov. Liyel Imoke of Cross River said that the governors’ commitment was part of the issues the governors reiterated at the meeting.
Imoke, who is also the Chairman of the South-South Governors’ Forum, said the governors also resolved to give Jonathan their support.
He said the meeting also discussed issues of common interest aimed at promoting unity in the zones, adding that the governors were ready to give Jonathan support.
“Governors of the South-East and South- South met again today. We deliberated extensively on the same issues that we discussed previously in our last meeting.
“Those deliberations are that we will continue to ensure that we focus on economic cooperation and unity and of course, focusing on our collective interest,” he said.
Theodore Orji of Abia, Sullivan Chime of Enugu, Peter Obi of Anambra, and Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta attended the meeting.
Governors Martin Elechi of Ebonyi and Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa were represented by their deputies: Dave Umahi and John Gboribiogha, respectively.