All Five Southeast Governors Back Tinubu for 2027
Hope Uzodimma, governor of Imo and chairman of the South East Governors' Forum, announced on July 22, 2026, that all five governors of the southeast geopolitical zone have resolved to support President Bola Tinubu's re-election campaign in the 2027 presidential election. The disclosure was made during a meeting with the Imo State Elders Council and traditional rulers in Owerri, the state capital.
According to Channels TV and Vanguard, Uzodimma stated that the governors—representing Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, and Imo—collectively assessed the Tinubu administration's performance in the region and concluded that continued alignment with the Federal Government serves the region's best interest. He 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."
Federal Projects Behind the Decision
Uzodimma highlighted several federal interventions that influenced the governors' unanimous decision. He cited the signing of the South East Development Commission Act into law on July 24, 2024, the inauguration of its governing board in February 2025, and the subsequent release of funding to operationalize the commission. He described this as a long-standing demand unmet since the end of the civil war.
The governor also pointed to the rehabilitation of the Port Harcourt–Aba rail line and the resumption of commercial services on that route as a meaningful step toward reconnecting the southeast to Nigeria's national rail network. He praised President Tinubu's approval of a $3 billion reconstruction of the Eastern Rail Corridor, which runs from Port Harcourt through the southeast to Maiduguri.
Additionally, Uzodimma mentioned federal work on the Phase 2A and 2B access routes to the Second Niger Bridge—a dual carriageway linking Umunya, Ogbunike, Ogidi, Nkpor, and Asaba through seven bridges. He also highlighted two road projects: the 108-kilometre Otuocha-Anam-Abaji Road and the 150-kilometre Oba-Nnewi-Uga-Ihube/Okigwe Junction Road, saying they would strengthen economic ties between Anambra, Imo, Abia, and neighbouring states. He stated: "The south-east has decided. Our people judge governments by performance and not by political sentiments. The evidence is on the ground."
Uzodimma Vows to Protect Imo Charter of Equity
Beyond the 2027 endorsement, Uzodimma urged the Elders Council and traditional rulers to support the implementation of Imo's Charter of Equity—a law designed to rotate political power fairly across the state and prevent any single bloc from dominating governance. He warned that any attempt to circumvent the charter for personal political gain would be resisted. He declared: "I will take the fight personally to protect the Charter of Equity. I will stop at nothing." He added that his successor must emerge through the charter's framework and must demonstrate integrity and commitment to sustaining reforms pursued since 2020.
List of Governors Backing Tinubu
The five governors who have reportedly resolved to support President Tinubu's 2027 re-election bid are:
- Abia: Alex Otti
- Anambra: Prof. Chukwuma Charles Soludo
- Ebonyi: Francis Nwifuru
- Enugu: Peter Mbah
- Imo: Hope Uzodimma
Tinubu's Second-Term Priorities
Earlier, President Tinubu outlined his second-term priorities, focusing on resolving key political issues while prioritizing the economy and national security as immediate concerns. He stated that economic stability and security remain central to his government's survival strategy and alleged that individuals opposed to his policies were behind some of the country's security challenges.
