Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike and Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State have called on Niger Delta leaders to unite for the rapid development of the region.

According to them, unity is needed in the region to check the situation where outsiders take advantage of the disunity of the South-South geo-political zone.

The governors made the call on Sunday when they visited former Delta State governor, James Ibori, at his residence in Oghara, Delta State.

“Niger Delta must continue to be united. Whatever it takes, unity is still very key. When we are divided, outsiders will come and exploit our resources to the disadvantage of our communities,” Wike said.

“We have to fight to protect the interest of the Niger Delta. We must work as brothers, we must work as a team, we must not allow our united front to be divided.”

On his part, Governor Okowa said the people of Niger Delta must work together to make the geo-political zone a stronger political voice in the country.

He also described Wike as a grassroots politician who is providing effective leadership for the people of Rivers State, adding that the political class in Delta State was under a political family led by former governor Ibori.

In his remarks, Ibori commended the governors for their cooperation on developmental issues and urged them to continue to work towards building a stronger united force for all states in the region.

“We need to be united to be able to serve our people better. We have to cooperate for the good of our people,” he said.

The meeting was also attended by former acting chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prince Uche Secondus, and former a deputy speaker of the House of Representatives, Honourable Austin Opara among others.