Again Okorocha, Amaechi, Oshiomhole shun S’East, S’South govs’ meeting

…Govs of 2 zones fail to endorse Jonathan

From CHIDI NNADI and PETRUS OBI, Enugu

For the second time in three months, governors of Imo, Rivers and Edo states, Rochas Okorocha, Rotimi Amaechi and Adams Oshiomhole, respectively, stayed away from the meeting of South-East and South-South governors without sending any representative.
The meeting, which was held at the Enugu Government House, saw governors Liyel Imoke (Cross River), Emmanuel Uduaghan (Delta), Theodore Orji (Abia), Sullivan Chime (Enugu), Martin Elechi (Ebonyi), Peter Obi (Anambra), Godswill Akpabio (Akwa Ibom) in attendance, while Seraike Dickson of Bayelsa Statesent his deputy, Rear Admiral John Jonah.
According to Imoke, they were in Enugu to see how they would continue to strengthen economic ties amongst their states, as well as continue to pursue the development of their zones.
Unlike the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo that endorsed Jonathan earlier yesterday, during the 2013 Igbo Day held at Okpara Square, Enugu, the governors of the two zones failed to endorse the president for the 2015 presidential election.
“We note that the determination of who will be president of this country in 2015 will be made by the Nigerian electorate, in line with democratic tenets and the power of the people should not be usurped by any group or individuals,” they said. They, however, urged the president to remain focused on governance and not allow himself to be distracted.
The governors also called for continued dialogue at resolving national issues, as well as managing the security situation in the country in order to guarantee the continued corporate existence of the nation. “We commend the security agencies for their efforts in managing these challenges and commend the Federal Government for the massive reduction in crude oil theft,” they said.