Monarchs, leaders, and stakeholders of the South-South have urged the Governors of the six states in the geo-political zone to steer clear of squabble, and self-centered political interests that made the immediate past governors work at cross-purposes in the dispensation that ended May 29 (2015-2023).
They urged the governors of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki, the oldest among them, and his Bayelsa counterpart, Senator Douye Diri, to galvanize the four new governors, and ensure cohesiveness for the collective growth of the region.
The new governors are Elder Sheriff Oboreverowi- Delta; Pastor Umo Eno – Akwa-Ibom state; Siminialaye Fubara (Rivers); and Bassey Otu (Cross-River).
The people were unhappy that the former governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, was at loggerheads with other governors of the region, including the ex-governors of Delta State, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, Obaseki, and Diri, which adversely hurt the zone.
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In addition, the former governor of Cross River state, Senator Ben Ayade, practically forgot about the collective South-South vision, as he distanced himself from other governors of PDP extraction in the zone, making it impossible for them to pursue the BRACED Commission mandate.
BRACED, meaning Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa-Ibom, Cross-River, Edo, and Delta is the acronym for the development machinery set up by the governors of the six oil states to fast-track integrated development of the region.
The paramount ruler of Barako, Gokana Local Government Area, Rivers State, HRM (Mene) Kadilo Kabari, told Saturday Vanguard: “To make the difference, the current South-South governors can take a cue from what the South-East governors did in the preceding dispensation.”
“They were toe-to-toe with Federal Government, monitoring and following -up on ensuring it delivered the Second Niger Bridge, and today the people are happier for it.”
“You see in unity of purpose in their efforts to deal with insecurity as well. Therefore, for the South-South governors, we expect them to awaken the good intentions for bringing about their regional forum and the BRACED Commission, above partisan and selfish sentiments.
“On the horizon, there are many things they should be focused on realizing. Aside from initiating broad-based joint development projects, the East-West Road should be a major matter they should tackle with the federal government. The Bonny-Bode Road is another key infrastructure vital to the development of the region.
“Then, there are the ports, not forgetting Ogoni Cleanup that has lingered for too long. It is in the atmosphere of cohesiveness and collective bargaining that the governors can give meaning to the successful realization of these goals.
“As the longer-serving governors, Godwin Obaseki of Edo, and Duoye Diri of Bayelsa should bring their experiences to bear by providing selfless leadership for the South-South Governors Forum that will earn the trust of the four new governors, and stir up all of them to build a greater South-South.”
