President Tinubu and the Southeast Governors: A Leadership Void That Demands Urgent Attention

It has become increasingly evident that President Bola Tinubu holds a dim view of some Nigerian governors, particularly beyond the realm of politics. He must have observed, as many Nigerians have, that these governors are often self-serving and lack the patriotism needed to address pressing national issues. Their engagements with the presidency appear to be driven more by personal and political interests rather than the collective good of their respective regions.

One cannot help but wonder: Why have the Southeast governors failed to come together to address critical economic and social issues plaguing their region?

The Neglected Potential of Eastern Seaports

The need to upgrade and expand seaports in the Southeast is an urgent and glaring opportunity for economic revitalization. Modernizing these ports could:

Create thousands of jobs, reducing the region’s high unemployment rate.

Boost commercial activity, attracting investors and improving regional trade competitiveness.

Encourage reverse migration, potentially reducing congestion in Abuja and Lagos, as controversial as that may seem to vested interests in these cities.

Yet, despite these evident benefits, the governors have failed to present a unified front to demand action from the federal government. Their silence raises questions about their commitment to the economic empowerment of their people.

The Incarceration of Nnamdi Kanu: A Lingering Crisis

Another glaring issue is the continued detention of Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). His incarceration has fueled unrest and heightened insecurity across the region. Why have the Southeast governors not collectively engaged the federal government to secure his release and address the underlying grievances that fuel agitations for secession?

Rather than focusing on resolving the deep-seated issues that have led to the unrest in the region, the governors appear to be jostling for recognition and political supremacy, failing to prioritize dialogue and reconciliation efforts that could bring about peace and stability.

Rampant Extortion at Security Checkpoints

The Southeast is plagued by an unjustifiable number of extortionist checkpoints manned by customs, police, and military personnel. These checkpoints, instead of enhancing security, have become lucrative avenues for illegal toll collection, burdening traders and ordinary citizens alike.

Why have the governors not come together to protest these exploitative practices? Their silence implies complicity or, at best, a lack of political will to challenge these injustices.

The Deplorable State of Federal Roads

The Southeast is notorious for having some of the worst federal roads in the country, making transportation of goods and movement of people a nightmare. These dilapidated infrastructures have stifled economic growth and left the region in a state of infrastructural decay.

Why have the governors failed to jointly demand accountability and exert pressure on the federal government to rehabilitate these critical arteries of commerce? Instead of working collaboratively, they remain divided, each pursuing individual political ambitions at the expense of collective progress.

Governors as a Collective Force: A Missed Opportunity

In the face of these numerous challenges, one would expect the Southeast governors to function as a formidable collective, leveraging their influence to secure federal intervention and regional development. Unfortunately, they appear to be more concerned with outdoing each other, seeking political relevance, and engaging in needless rivalry.

If they truly cared about the well-being of their people, they would unite to address:

Economic stagnation caused by underutilized resources.

Rising insecurity fueled by socio-political neglect.

Infrastructure decay that hampers progress.

Exploitative systems that drain the region’s resources.

A Call to Action

Since the Southeast governors seem unwilling or incapable of prioritizing these issues, it has become necessary to seek alternative channels to bring these pressing matters to the attention of President Tinubu. If they cannot act, then it falls to concerned citizens, advocacy groups, and thought leaders to utilize every available platform to ensure that these concerns do not go unheard.

It is my hope that through open letters, public discourse, and strategic engagement, President Tinubu and other stakeholders will take notice and address the region’s pressing needs, before the situation deteriorates beyond repair.

Hon. Chimazuru Nnadi-Oforgu
“Duruebube Uzii na Abosi”

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