Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma has called on the South-East region to jettison the attitude of always playing opposition politics while other regions systematically engage with the centre for political benefits.
He said that the region should change its political pattern of complaining about political deprivation and focus mainly on how to negotiate with other regions of the federation for their political advancement.
The governor gave the charge while addressing the South-East stakeholders as they gathered in Owerri on Friday, for a high-level meeting at the state Government House.
Uzodimma noted that the Nigerian Project remains important, bigger than any other projects hence the need for the South-East to engage with the centre for political benefits.
He warned that the region must desist from relying on opposition politics while other regions engage the centre and secure results.
“We need results, we must change our style, we must agree on how to sit down with the man in power and negotiate our interest. We must forget about local competitions. We as Igbo people must take bold decisions,” Uzodimma said.
“The South-East governors are merely servants, power and sovereignty belongs to the people. We cannot work alone. We must work with stakeholders. The politics of opposition should not continue to be in place,” he added.
Uzodimma pointed out that there is a sharp contrast between the South-East and other regions, noting that leaders from the South-South, Middle Belt and North-East have met with the President while the region continues to cry marginalisation.
He urged the stakeholders to compile a clear, evidence-based list of the region’s needs and present it to the President as a basis for negotiation.
The Imo State number one citizen further pointed out that there is a need to draw up statistics of what the region wants and meet with Mr. President for possible negotiations.