Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State has said the five governors of the South-East have resolved to support President Bola Tinubu’s bid for a second term in office, citing what he described as the administration’s commitment to the development of the region.

Uzodimma, who is also the Chairman of the South-East Governors’ Forum (SEGF), made the declaration on Wednesday during a meeting with the Imo State Elders Council and traditional rulers in Owerri.

According to the governor, the decision followed a review of the Federal Government’s interventions in the South-East under the Renewed Hope Agenda, which he said had brought tangible development projects and increased federal attention to the region.

“The South-East has decided. Our people judge governments by performance and not by political sentiments. The evidence is on the ground,” Uzodimma said.

“We, the five governors of the South-East, have reviewed all options and decided that we will work with President Bola Tinubu because we want to be part of the Project Nigeria.”

He disclosed that the governors would soon pay a joint courtesy visit to President Tinubu to further strengthen their partnership with the Federal Government.

Uzodimma identified the establishment of the South East Development Commission (SEDC) as one of the administration’s landmark achievements for the region. He noted that President Tinubu signed the South East Development Commission Act into law in 2024 and ensured that the commission commenced operations with the necessary funding.

He described the move as unprecedented, saying it marked a significant step towards addressing the region’s long-standing developmental challenges.

The governor also highlighted the Federal Government’s approval of a $3 billion reconstruction of the Eastern Rail Corridor, which stretches from Port Harcourt through the South-East to Maiduguri. According to him, the project will improve transportation, facilitate commerce and deepen regional integration.

He further listed the ongoing construction of the Phase 2A and 2B access roads to the Second Niger Bridge as another major intervention. The project includes a dual carriageway linking Umunya, Ogbunike, Ogidi, Nkpor and Asaba, as well as the construction of seven bridges along the corridor.

Uzodimma added that the rehabilitation of the Port Harcourt-Aba rail line and the commencement of commercial operations on the route had reconnected the South-East to the national railway network.

Beyond infrastructure, the governor said states in the region had benefited from increased federal allocations, enhanced security efforts and the Federal Government’s student loan programme, which he said had made tertiary education more accessible to young people in the South-East.

He urged members of the Imo State Elders Council and traditional rulers to continue supporting the implementation of the state’s Charter of Equity, describing it as the foundation for enduring peace, justice and political stability in Imo State.

The governor’s remarks come amid increasing political realignments ahead of the 2027 general election.

On Tuesday, the Governor of Abia State, Alex Otti, a chieftain of the opposition Labour Party (LP), described President Tinubu’s economic reforms as courageous, adding to growing discussions over the administration’s performance across party lines.