Outrage Over Exclusion Of S/East From $22.7 Billion Loan Projects

Stakeholders from the Southeast have fumed over what they claim is the near exclusion of the zone from projects earmarked under the $22.7 billion loan being requested by the Federal Government.

Besides the Southeast states, Edo State was also excluded from the projects.

Chairman of the media and publicity bureau of the Alaigbo Development Foundation, ADF, Chief Abia Onyike, said it was a deliberate attempt by the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration to manifest its avowed anti-Igbo hysteria.

“It shows the inbuilt injustices inherent in Nigeria’s monolithic federation. It is a pointer to the fact that Ndigbo have been rejected and consigned to irrelevance in Nigerian affairs. It is extremely irritating and provocative. The National Assembly members from the South-East should take up this matter with the Presidency. Ndigbo should protest this maltreatment. Enough is enough. In fact, National Assembly members and the South-East governors should join hands to tackle the challenge,” Onyike said.

Candidate of the Alliance for New Nigeria (ANN) for Ebonyi South Senatorial District in the last general election, Eze Igwe, accused National Assembly members from the South-East of pursuing their selfish interests, instead of speaking for their people.

“This is a loan that will be repaid by the entire country, including the Igbo. The question of Igbo marginalisation in Nigeria is no longer in doubt. And it is high time we decided as a people if we want to remain part of this union. Secession or self-determination is nobody’s favourite topic but one that has become necessary.”

Director, public affairs, Igbo Leadership Development Foundation and chancellor of Igbo Bu Igbo, Dr. Law Mefor, said the exclusion of the South-East was as embarrassing as it was sobering.

“This is not the first time the South-East is being excluded from such loans by this government; the loan taken earlier for railways infrastructure also excluded the South-East. That was also approved by the Senate. I then ask: where are senators from the South-East sitting in plenaries where these loans excluding the South-East zone are approved? Why are they sitting there validating the mortgage of the South-East and the exclusion of their people and the future of our people?”

A youth leader in Enugu State, Sunday Ude, also blamed representatives of the South-East for the continued marginalisation of the zone: “All we hear is a lone Abaribe voice that hardly gets any chorus from his South-East colleagues. We may be suffering marginalisation as a zone but our leaders also give the nod that facilitates it. It’s really disgusting.”

Send Us A Press Statement Advertise With Us Contact Us

 And For More Nigerian News Visit GWG.NG