That South East, South South Alliance

The socio-political and economic alliance initiated by the governors of South-East and South-South geo-political zones, coming on the heels of the crucial 2019 general elections, may not have surprised many political pundits. The two zones are considered to be the most marginalized among the six geo-political zones in the country.
The pact, which many observers perceive as an alliance by strange bedfellows, especially against the backdrop of the governors’ opposing political affinities, may well be the roadmap to the socio-political and economic prosperity of the two geo-political zones.
Perhaps, the perceived neglect and non-challance of the central authorities to environmental, ecological and insecurity challenges commonly shared by both the South-South and South-East informed the initiative by the leaders of the two zones.
If this renewed pact succeeds, certainly, posterity will record it as yet another bold move to foster inter-regional development and cooperation between the two zones that once existed as one region under the defunct Eastern Region of Nigeria.
The Tide strongly endorses the alliance and hopes that the philosophy and wisdom behind the pact will crystallise into meaningful development for the two zones.
With the coming together of the governors of the South South and South East, we believe that the challenges facing the zones can be frontally and systematically tackled through well-articulated short, medium and long-term solutions.
The governors’ resolve to work together and realign as a people with common heritage, culture and affinity could not have come at a better time than now when the two zones are crying out over marginalization.
We, therefore, urge the governors of the two zones to sink their personal and political differences in order to advance common interests and challenges emanating from insecurity,  infrastructural deficit and political marginalization.
The Tide shares the position of the governors that the alliance has rekindled their spirit of brotherhood, strengthened old ties and cooperation and set a common front and agenda for the socio-economic and political development of the two zones.
Indeed, the South East and South South are bonded, not only by history, geography and culture, but also by common challenges. We recommend, therefore, that regular consultations should be held and sustained to foster inter-regional cooperation and accelerate competitive development, economic prosperity and socio-political harmony among the partnering states.
The governors should regularly compare notes through Peer Review Mechanism, as well as  exploit all the abundant natural and human resources which abound in the two regions.
The Tide strongly believes that common challenges like herdsmen menace, environmental pollution, erosion and flooding, poor road network, insecurity, infrastructural deficit, among other social, ecological and environmental problems, could be tackled frontally if the governors of the two geo-political zones show sufficient political will and commitment towards addressing them.
It is important that the two zones adopt the spirit of unity of purpose like their Northern counterparts who, when it concerns issues affecting the common interest of the North, usually take a common position within the comity of states.
While we do not wish the new alliance to end up like the BRACED Commission of the South South, we advise that the governors look beyond party affiliations and political interest in order not to jettison or endanger the noble cause and objective which they have set out to achieve. They must, as a matter of necessity, evolve a holistic roadmap geared towards the political and socio-economic development of the two zones.