From Stanley Uzoaru, Owerri
The Coalition of South East Youth Leaders (COSEYL) has faulted Imo State Governor and Chairman of the South East Governors’ Forum, Senator Hope Uzodimma, over claims that governors of the zone have endorsed President Bola Tinubu for re-election in 2027.
In a statement signed by its President General, Goodluck Ibem, and made available to reporters in Owerri, the Imo State capital, COSEYL said Uzodimma’s declaration was a personal political opinion and not the collective position of the people of South East.
The group was reacting to recent comments credited to Uzodimma that South East governors had resolved to support Tinubu’s second term bid.
“COSEYL wishes to state, unequivocally, that Governor Uzodimma’s declaration is his personal political opinion and that of any governor who chooses to associate with it. It is neither the collective position nor the mandate of the people of the South East,” the statement read.
COSEYL argued that no governor has the constitutional or moral authority to commit the votes of Ndigbo, adding that “the era when a handful of political office holders presumed they could dictate the democratic choices of millions of citizens is over.”
The youth body said the South East has not taken any position on the 2027 presidential election and has not endorsed any candidate or party.
“When the time comes, the people will freely evaluate every aspirant based on competence, justice, equity, national inclusion, security, economic performance, and commitment to addressing the legitimate aspirations of Ndigbo and Nigeria as a whole,” Ibem said.
The group stressed that “in a democracy, sovereignty belongs to the people, not to elected officials. Every vote belongs to an individual citizen, not to a governor.”
COSEYL cautioned political leaders against creating what it called “the false impression that the South East has surrendered its democratic right to negotiate, deliberate, and decide its political future,” describing such declarations as “misleading, presumptuous, and disrespectful to millions of Igbo voters.”
While acknowledging that every governor has the right to support any presidential candidate of his choice, COSEYL said such support “must not be presented as the collective decision of an entire region without consultation or the consent of the people.”
The group urged political parties and aspirants to engage the South East “with sincerity, respect, and concrete programmes” rather than relying on elite endorsements. It listed justice, fairness, infrastructure, security, economic empowerment, and full integration into the Nigerian federation as key issues the region will consider.
“We urge the good people of the South East to remain vigilant, united, and resolute. No individual or group should assume the authority to negotiate away the political future of our people. The South East’s votes are not for sale, not transferable, and not subject to the personal preferences of any elected official,” the statement added.
COSEYL concluded that the 2027 presidential election “will be decided by the Nigerian people, including the millions of voters in the South East,” and that they will exercise that right “freely, independently, and without external imposition.”
(The Sun)