The Forum of Nigeria Professionals in Politics (FNPP) has credited the Chairman of the Progressives Governors’ Forum and Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodimma, for the non-participation of people from the South East in the ongoing #EndBadGovernance nationwide protest.
The group stated this on Tuesday in a statement by the National Coordinator of the Forum, Chief Okey Ezenwa. They also said that the Imo governor used his position as the APC Coordinator in the South East to “promote and strengthen understanding and cooperation between the South East and the South West regions of the country.”
The group posited that the fact that the South East did not take part in the ongoing protest against the Tinubu administration is a testament to the success of Governor Uzodimma’s efforts in the rebuilding and reenactment of the “handshake across the Niger,” which the forum believes will further reinforce the ties and partnership between the regions.
They applauded Uzodimma for his sustained consultations and shuttle diplomacy between the South East and the South West, which have resulted in a stronger bond and the much-desired collaboration between the two regions.
The forum further attributed the emerging understanding between the two regions to the efforts of the Imo governor in “getting the South East to understand and appreciate the commitment of the Tinubu administration towards the well-being of Nigerians, resulting in the willingness of the region to give the President the desired support and time to fix the rot he inherited from the previous administration.”
According to the statement, the forum hopes that such gestures will be consolidated and reciprocated in peaceful accommodation, recognition, and harmonious relationships between the two regions, which it noted have a lot in common and stand to benefit immensely by working together.
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The statement added: “Our Forum commends Governor Uzodimma for using his position as the APC Coordinator in the South East towards entrenching social tranquility in the zone, and to ensure that the region remains peaceful, safe, stable, and economically active.
“We also applaud his efforts in using the position to promote and strengthen understanding and cooperation between the South East and the South West regions of the country.
“The Forum commends Governor Uzodimma for his sustained consultations, visits to Lagos, and shuttle diplomacy to sort out and resolve the mistrust of the Igbos, which have resulted in promoting mutual understanding, a stronger bond, love, and the much-desired collaboration between the two regions.
“That the fact that the South East did not take part in the ongoing protest against the Tinubu administration is a testament to the success of Governor Uzodimma’s efforts in the rebuilding and reenactment of the “handshake across the Niger,” which has further reinforced the ties and partnership between the regions and shown the South East as peace-loving people who are willing to give the South West the desired support in every aspect of national life and engagement.”
It implored the governors’ forum chairman to remain steadfast in his efforts, especially in returning the South East to the mainstream of national politics and ensuring that the region remains safe, peaceful, stable, economically active, and in harmonious and beneficial collaboration with other regions of the country.