Fifteen years after its establishment, the South-East Governors’ Forum (SEGF) is under fire for its failure to deliver meaningful leadership and regional development, as citizens and civil society organisations lament unfulfilled promises and lack of impact.
A coalition of 17 Civil Society Organisations recently issued a scathing statement, titled “JAMB Crisis: The Silence That Speaks Volumes”, slamming the governors for their inaction over the region’s poor performance in the 2025 UTME and broader challenges confronting the South-East.
Critics argue that the SEGF, formed in 2010 to foster regional collaboration on security, infrastructure, economic growth, and advocacy, has fallen short on nearly all fronts. Despite a promising start that included economic summits and security initiatives, such as the short-lived Ebubeagu outfit, most resolutions have remained unimplemented.
High-profile projects — including a proposed world-class hospital, regional access roads, and the setting up of a functional secretariat in Enugu — have not materialised. Even the forum’s meetings, once regularly held, have become irregular and ceremonial.
Former and current forum chairmen — from Peter Obi to Hope Uzodimma — have led the body, but observers say their tenure has produced little in tangible outcomes. Promises to secure the release of IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu or execute recommendations from the 2023 South-East Security and Economic Summit remain pending.
Commentators like Ibuchukwu Ezike of the Civil Liberties Organisation and Okechukwu Obioha of the Njiko Igbo Forum describe the body as a “ceremonial group” that prioritises personal interests over regional development. Legal and policy experts stress that while individual governors may have made efforts in their states, the lack of collective action undermines progress in the region.
Only a few, like policy analyst Dr. Cletus Eze, acknowledge the forum’s advocacy in drawing national attention to key infrastructure issues, including the Second Niger Bridge and road repairs — though they admit the impact has been minimal.
As the South-East continues to grapple with insecurity, poor infrastructure, and economic stagnation, public frustration is growing. Many now question whether the SEGF can evolve from a dormant alliance into a catalyst for genuine development — or whether its relevance has already expired.
