Umahi, Others Birth South-East Ex-Governors Forum, Back Tinubu’s Infrastructure Drive and Re-election
By Onwe Wisdom, Pan Afric Reporters
A new political and advisory bloc, the South East Former Governors Forum, has been inaugurated in Enugu, bringing together past leaders of the region to support current administrations and contribute to national development.
The development was disclosed in a statement issued on April 7, 2026, by Francis Nwaze Senior Special Assistant (Media) to the Honourable Minister of Works.
Speaking after the maiden meeting, the Minister of Works, David Umahi , described the formation of the forum as a strategic move to consolidate experience and strengthen governance in the South-East.
“You must have been wondering what is going on. What was going on and is still going on is that we now have the birth of a forum of former South East governors,” Umahi said.
He noted that while some former governors were absent due to engagements abroad, the forum expects broader participation in subsequent meetings.
“In our next meeting, we are sure that over 90 percent of the former governors of South East will be in attendance,” he added.
According to Umahi, the forum is designed to complement the efforts of serving governors by providing guidance on key regional and national issues.
“The body is to support our presiding governors of South East and advise them on key zonal and national matters. The forum shall be for all former governors, irrespective of party affiliation,” he said.
He also commended incumbent governors in the region for their developmental strides.
“We commend the great works that our governors of South East are doing for the benefit of our people,” he stated.
The forum further expressed strong support for President Bola Ahmed Tinibu, particularly commending his administration’s infrastructure initiatives and appointments involving South-East indigenes.
“We commend Mr. President… for infrastructural revolution in South East, just like what he’s doing in other regions of the country,” Umahi said.
He added that the region’s governors are aligned in their support for the President.
“We boldly say that all the governors of South East are supporting Mr. President reelection and we will continue to give them support,” he declared.
Umahi also revealed that the forum will deepen engagement with sitting governors to foster cooperation and regional development.
“Our next meeting will embrace most of the former governors in the coming weeks,” he noted.
The forum later paid a courtesy visit to the Governor of Enugu State, Peter Mbah.
Other prominent figures present at the meeting included former governors Sullivan Chime, Martin Elechi, Okezie Ikpeazu, Chris Ngege and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi.
Analysts say the emergence of the forum could reshape political coordination in the South-East, particularly as alignments ahead of future elections begin to take shape.
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