The lingering insecurity in the South-East region has become a pressing concern for the people of the region, who are now calling on their governors to put aside their differences and work together to address the issue.
Despite individual efforts by each state, the problem persists, and the economy of the region continues to suffer.
Prof. Ihechukwu Madubuike, a former minister of Education and Health, emphasized the need for collaborative efforts, stating that individual championships are not enough to develop the region. He lamented the lack of cohesion among Igbo leaders, particularly governors, and the absence of a communique from the South-East Economic Summit held in Owerri in 2023.
“The South-East region needs a group championship, not individual championships. We need to work together to survive,” Madubuike said. “The lack of cohesion among our governors is a tragedy. They are behaving as if they are headless, with no direction or legacy. We need a collective approach to tackle insecurity, economic development, and other challenges facing the region.”
Prince Richard Ozobu attributed the governors’ shortcomings to inexperience and failure to consult with statesmen and experienced administrators. He advised them to work together, exchange ideas, and seek guidance from those who have served in public offices before.
“Our governors are too inexperienced and still learning on the job. They need to reach out to experienced people to guide them on policy matters,” Ozobu said. “They don’t consult, and they behave as if they know it all. That’s why they are making blunders in governance. They need to work together and seek advice from experienced people like former governors, ministers, and other statesmen.”
Peter Obi, former governor of Anambra State and presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 election, urged the governors to come together to tackle insecurity, inviting former governors to share their experiences and ideas. He stressed the importance of security as the foundation for progress in any environment.
“Security is the primary duty of any government. Our governors need to come together to tackle insecurity in the region,” Obi said. “They should invite former governors like me to share our experiences and ideas on how to address the issue. We need to work together to provide security, develop our economy, and improve the lives of our people.”
Chief Nnadi Onyediogbu suggested reviving abandoned farm settlements to generate employment and keep youths busy, thereby reducing crime and insecurity in the region.
“The South-East region has abandoned farm settlements that can be revived to generate employment and keep our youths busy,” Onyediogbu said. “This will reduce crime and insecurity in the region. Our governors need to work together to revive these farm settlements and provide employment opportunities for our youths.”
Prof. Chidi Osuagwu, former chairman of Ohanaeze Ndigbo in Imo State, noted that the South-East Governors’ Forum lacks effective leadership, hindering cooperation and progress in the region.
“The South-East Governors’ Forum lacks effective leadership, which is why they are not working together to address insecurity and other challenges in the region,” Osuagwu said. “They need to muffle their egos and rally around anyone among them with solutions to offer for the good of the great Igbo Nation. We need a collective approach to tackle our challenges and develop our region.”
