In a candid interview, Joe Igbokwe discusses the marginalization of Igbos and why the South-East remains politically isolated. He argues that building political bridges with other regions is the key to reversing this trend, calling for strategic partnerships beyond the South-East.
Joe Igbokwe, an APC stalwart and a prominent figure from the South-East, has consistently found himself in a political battle with his fellow Igbos over his views on the marginalization of the region and his staunch loyalty to the ruling party. In a recent interview with Punch Newspaper, Igbokwe reflected on why Igbos feel marginalized and how the South-East could better position itself politically.
Igbokwe acknowledged that the South-East, compared to other regions, is indeed marginalized, particularly in terms of the number of states. “Other regions have six or seven states, while the South-East has only five,” he explained, which significantly affects the region’s share of federal resources. However, he pointed out that Igbos themselves have also contributed to this situation through missed opportunities and internal discord.
In the interview, Igbokwe elaborated on the lack of political bridges Igbos have built with other regions. “No Igbo candidate can win an election in this country without the support of the South-West, North, and South-South,” he said. He praised President Bola Tinubu’s long political journey, highlighting how Tinubu spent years nurturing political relationships that helped him secure the presidency.
He criticized the confrontational stance that many Igbo leaders and indigenes adopt towards other regions, asserting that insults and grievances alone cannot win elections. Igbokwe has often been labeled a betrayer for expressing such views, but he remains unapologetic. He believes that for the South-East to truly break free from its marginalization, Igbos must foster relationships across Nigeria’s political landscape.
While Joe Igbokwe admits that marginalization is a real issue, he insists that the South-East must look inward and work on building political partnerships. “We mishandled the potential solutions, and it was our own people who caused it,” he lamented, referring to previous political opportunities that went unrealized.
His political battle with Igbos stems from his perceived loyalty to a system many feel has sidelined the region. Yet, Joe Igbokwe remains steadfast in his belief that embracing inclusivity and bridge-building, rather than isolating the South-East, is the key to ending the long-standing marginalization of the Igbos in Nigeria’s political and economic systems.
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