Joe Igbokwe, a prominent chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State, has issued a stern warning to the Nigerian government, cautioning that the country may face severe consequences if it continues to neglect the South-East zone. Igbokwe’s comments come at a time of increasing scrutiny over the appointments made under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration. His remarks highlight long-standing concerns about the perceived marginalization of the South-East region and the need for a more inclusive approach to governance in Nigeria.
In a post shared on his Facebook account, Igbokwe expressed his deep concern about the growing feeling of neglect in the South-East, which has long struggled with issues related to political representation and development. He emphasized that if the current trend of ignoring the South-East continues, the consequences could be far-reaching and detrimental to the unity and progress of the nation.
“If Nigeria continues to treat the South-East as if the zone does not exist or does not matter, the consequences will be huge,” Igbokwe warned. His statement points to the deeper historical and socio-political issues that continue to affect the region, especially in the aftermath of the Nigerian Civil War. While Nigeria officially ended the war in 1970, the scars from the conflict are still felt in many parts of the country, particularly in the South-East. The region, which was the heart of Biafra during the war, has often been at the center of debates about political and economic inclusion.
Igbokwe’s comments come amid controversies surrounding the appointments made under President Tinubu’s administration. There have been growing concerns that Tinubu’s administration has favored certain regions over others, particularly in terms of key government positions. The South-East, despite being an important region in the country, has faced criticism for being underrepresented in key national appointments.
One of the most vocal critics of the president’s appointments has been Senator Ali Ndume, who represents Borno South. Ndume recently criticized the Tinubu administration for what he described as a “lopsided” appointment process, which he believes could have negative implications for the country. In particular, Ndume pointed out the lack of representation from certain regions, including the South-East, in important government positions.
In response to these concerns, the presidency has defended the appointments, stating that they were made based on merit and not on regional considerations. The government has argued that the appointments are intended to ensure that qualified individuals are placed in key positions, irrespective of their region of origin.
However, this explanation has done little to quell the growing discontent in the South-East, where many feel that they are being overlooked and underrepresented in the decision-making processes of the federal government. For Igbokwe, the failure to address this sense of marginalization could lead to negative consequences for the country as a whole.
The South-East has long struggled with the legacy of the Nigerian Civil War (1967–1970), also known as the Biafran War. The war was fought between the government of Nigeria and the secessionist state of Biafra, which was primarily made up of the Igbo people from the South-East. The conflict resulted in the deaths of an estimated one to three million people, many from starvation and the effects of the war. In addition to the human cost, the war left deep emotional scars on the region, and the aftermath continues to influence the region’s political and economic situation.
For many in the South-East, the sense of marginalization and neglect by the federal government has been a direct consequence of the civil war and its aftermath. The region has consistently argued that it has not been fully integrated into the national political and economic systems, and that it has been excluded from key decision-making processes. Igbokwe’s statement is a reminder of the need for national reconciliation and the importance of addressing the lingering issues of injustice and inequality.
While Nigeria has made strides in overcoming the divisions created by the war, the South-East continues to feel that it is not receiving fair treatment, especially in the areas of economic development, infrastructure, and political representation. This sentiment has been amplified in recent years by the increasing calls for a more inclusive government that takes into account the interests of all regions, particularly those that have historically been underrepresented.
Igbokwe’s warning is not just a call for better representation for the South-East, but a broader call for national unity and inclusivity. He highlighted the importance of treating every region of Nigeria with fairness and respect, regardless of historical or political differences. The neglect of any region, he argued, poses a threat to the unity and stability of the country as a whole.
“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere,” Igbokwe said, quoting the famous words of Martin Luther King Jr. He emphasized that the continued neglect of the South-East, if left unchecked, could lead to further divisions within the country. The challenges facing Nigeria today—ranging from insecurity to economic struggles—require collective action from all regions, and no region should be left behind in the pursuit of national progress.
Igbokwe’s comments also echo the frustrations of many in the South-East who feel that their region has been marginalized in terms of infrastructure development, political appointments, and access to resources. These frustrations have been compounded by the ongoing security challenges in the region, particularly in states like Ebonyi, Anambra, and Imo, where violence has escalated in recent years.
As the controversies surrounding the appointments under President Tinubu’s administration continue to unfold, Igbokwe’s warning serves as a call to action for the government to take steps to address the concerns of the South-East and other underrepresented regions. Ensuring fair representation and equal opportunities for all regions is crucial to fostering national unity and maintaining peace in the country.
In his statement, Igbokwe urged the federal government to recognize the importance of including the South-East in key decision-making processes. He also highlighted the need for the government to invest in the region’s development, both in terms of infrastructure and human capital, in order to address the long-standing disparities between the South-East and other parts of the country.
