Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe has criticized President Bola Tinubu’s administration, describing it as nepotistic and marginalizing the South-East region. Speaking on a Channels TV program Monday night, the senator representing Abia South lamented the lack of inclusivity in Mr. Tinubu’s government and argued that former Governor Peter Obi would have been a more effective leader.
Abaribe pointed to Tinubu’s ministerial appointments as evidence of favoritism. “How can Ogun State have four ministers while the South-East remains sidelined?” he questioned. The senator alleged that the current administration shows a clear bias toward the South-West, leaving the South-East neglected.
He also expressed confidence in Peter Obi, asserting that the former Anambra governor would have fostered a more inclusive government if he had won the 2023 presidential election. “Obi wouldn’t have been as nepotistic as this government. That’s just who we are as Igbos—we feel for others,” Abaribe remarked.
Call for Unity and Regional Development
Abaribe urged South-Easterners to prioritize regional development, emphasizing the need for unity and self-reliance in the face of perceived neglect by successive governments.
“Let us focus on the South-East—make it more liveable, cohesive, and better. We must hold ourselves together instead of waiting for a president to do right by us,” he said.
Reflecting on past administrations, the senator noted that only Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan had shown significant interest in the South-East’s development. He called for a renewed commitment to uplifting the region amid ongoing marginalization.
