Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe has accused Nigeria’s leadership of marginalizing the Southeast, calling for fairness and equity in representation. He questioned why some regions enjoy excessive appointments while the Southeast remains underserved.
In a powerful interview, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe has openly criticized Nigeria’s leadership for consistently sidelining the Southeast, accusing the government of violating constitutional principles of fairness and equity. Abaribe voiced his frustration over the region’s continued lack of representation, calling out the imbalance in federal appointments and alleging deliberate discrimination against the Southeast.
“When I discuss with friends in government, they often ask, ‘What do the Igbos want?’” He revealed. “All we want is what the Constitution guarantees: fairness and equity. Treat us as you treat every other region, no more, no less.”
The senator argued that despite Nigeria’s constitutional promise of equal representation, the Southeast is left with only five ministers for its five states, while other regions boast as many as ten ministers. He described the situation as “renewed Shege” — a colloquial term indicating that the Southeast is now worse off than before.
Since Nigeria’s return to civilian rule, Abaribe noted, the Southeast has experienced systematic marginalization, particularly in federal appointments, and he accused the administration of perpetuating a cycle of unfairness despite pledges of national unity. Highlighting that the Constitution requires at least one minister per state, he argued that even this minimum standard has been weaponized against the Southeast.
“Some regions with six states have nine or ten ministers, while the Southeast has only five. Is this equitable? Is it just?” he questioned. “If they keep telling us to ‘wait for tomorrow,’ when will tomorrow actually come for the Southeast?”
Abaribe’s call for equity and fairness has sparked fresh debate, with critics questioning the government’s commitment to genuine inclusivity and regional representation. For the Southeast, Abaribe argued, it is time for Nigeria’s leadership to fulfill the promises enshrined in the Constitution rather than perpetuate imbalances that foster resentment and alienation.
The Senator’s remarks underscore a growing call from Southeastern leaders for fair treatment and proportional representation within Nigeria’s political structure. As tensions grow, Abaribe’s words are seen as a demand for action rather than empty reassurances, placing renewed pressure on Nigeria’s leadership to address the Southeast’s concerns meaningfully. WATCH VIDEO BELOW:
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