Governors of Nigeria’s six South-South states have identified improved security and environmental restoration as critical conditions for unlocking sustainable economic development in the oil-rich region.
The governors, under the South-South Governors Forum, also resolved to support President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Chairman of the forum and Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri, said the region would continue to struggle to attract investment if its communities, waterways and critical infrastructure remained vulnerable to attacks and neglect.
Diri stressed the need for stronger cooperation among security agencies and state authorities to address threats across the region.
“We need stronger intelligence-sharing and coordinated security operations to protect communities, oil and gas assets and economic corridors across the six states,” he said.
The Bayelsa governor also drew attention to the environmental challenges confronting the South-South, particularly oil spills, gas flaring, erosion and the degradation of waterways.
He argued that environmental restoration must receive greater national attention if the region is to achieve meaningful economic and social development.
“It is a contradiction that a region that sustains Nigeria’s economy continues to suffer severe ecological and developmental consequences,” Diri said.
The governors’ position comes as the South-South continues to grapple with security concerns affecting communities and infrastructure, alongside longstanding environmental challenges associated with oil-producing areas.
Beyond security and environmental concerns, the forum said it would maintain direct engagement with the Federal Government on issues affecting the region.
The governors identified development priorities including infrastructure, security and environmental remediation as areas requiring continued collaboration with the President.
They also declared their support for Tinubu’s re-election in 2027, signalling a collective political position by the governors from the six states.
The endorsement adds a regional dimension to the emerging political alignments ahead of the 2027 presidential election, while the governors maintain that improved security and environmental conditions are essential to attracting investment and promoting development across the South-South.
