GOVERNORS of the South-East geopolitical zone met in Enugu, on Sunday, with a fresh call for regional integration.
The Igbo governors met at the Government House with the Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu and the President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief John Nwodo (Jnr) behind closed-doors.
At the meeting, the governors also unanimously elected Governor Dave Umahi of Ebonyi State as their new chairman.
Abia State Governor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu, who briefed newsmen about the new development, said the lot fell on Ebonyi State to become the chairman of the South-East Governors’ Forum because Anambra and Abia states had had their turn.
Governor Umahi, in his acceptance speech, said though he was not the most qualified for the position, “I thank the governors with all sense of humility and I accept the post with all my heart.”
Umahi said the meeting discussed security situation in the zone with the aim of finding curbing insecurity, adding that the governors would reach out to commissioners of police in their respective states to ensure the zone was safe for lives and property.
He also announced that the zone would soon have economic integration programme to attract investors.
Although, the governors did not disclose their talks with Senator Ekweremadu and Chief Nwodo, but the Ohanaeze President-General told reporters that he was in Government House, Enugu, to brief the governors on issues concerning the Igbo nation.