South-South governors back Tinubu for 2027 and seek economic integration

Nigeria’s South-South governors say the region can become the country’s strongest economic bloc, but they want that ambition measured in projects rather than communiqués. At their meeting in Calabar, they pledged “100 per cent” support for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027.

The South-South Governors’ Forum agreed to push for faster rail development, rehabilitated seaports and greater industrialisation. It also called for a united regional position in dealings with the federal government. The forum’s communiqué identified the ports of Calabar, Port Harcourt and Warri, as well as opportunities linked to the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, as strategic priorities.

Cross River Governor Bassey Otu, who hosted the meeting and serves as vice chairman of the forum, said the region’s development depended on speaking with one voice. He called for a common position on fiscal equity, including value-added tax, oil and gas revenues and the 13 percent derivation benchmark. He also sought support for Cross River’s campaign to regain oil-producing status.

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We must come together as a people; we must cooperate, and we must ensure that our voice is heard and respected.

Otu proposed an economic corridor connecting the Bakassi Deep Seaport with the East-West Road and ports in Bayelsa and Delta. He urged the region to move beyond exporting raw resources and focus on value addition, particularly cassava processing and ethanol production.

Bayelsa Governor Douye Diri, who chairs the forum, warned that meetings alone would not be enough. “We cannot afford to remain a region of meetings and communiqués. The meeting must produce movement,” he said. The governors agreed to hold meetings every quarter, with Uyo scheduled to host the next session from November 6 to 8, 2026.

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We cannot afford to remain a region of meetings and communiqués. The meeting must produce movement.