A prominent chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State, Joe Igbokwe, has raised alarm over the continued marginalisation of Nigeria’s South-East region, warning that persistent neglect could have far-reaching consequences for national unity.
Igbokwe made his position known in a post on his official Facebook page on Saturday, stating that the country risks serious repercussions if the South-East continues to be treated as irrelevant in national affairs.
“If Nigeria continues to treat the South-East as if the zone does not exist or does not matter, the consequences will be huge,” he wrote.
His comments come amid mounting criticism of perceived regional imbalance in federal appointments under the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Senator Ali Ndume, representing Borno South, recently voiced similar concerns, cautioning that lopsided appointments could sow discord and lead to national discontent.
In response to the backlash, the Presidency has maintained that all appointments made under President Tinubu’s leadership are based strictly on merit and national interest.
However, Igbokwe believes the issue is rooted in long-standing historical grievances dating back to the post-civil war era.
“The civil war has ended, but the scars are still there,” Igbokwe said. “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. Neglect of SE is bad.”
The remarks by the APC stalwart have reignited conversations about equitable representation, inclusion, and unity in Nigeria’s political space—particularly for the South-East, which has frequently called for a fairer share of political appointments and infrastructure development.
