“The Scars Still Linger”: APC’s Igbokwe Warns Against South-East Neglect Under Tinubu’s Government

Joe Igbokwe Decries Continued Marginalisation of South-East, Warns of Potential Fallout

In a bold statement that reflects rising concerns about regional equity in Nigeria, a prominent figure within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State, Joe Igbokwe, has voiced strong discontent over what he describes as the persistent sidelining of the South-East geopolitical zone in federal governance.

Taking to his official Facebook page on Saturday, Igbokwe issued a stark warning that the consequences of continued neglect of the South-East could be far-reaching and destabilizing for the country. His remarks come at a time when President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's administration is facing increasing scrutiny for what critics call lopsided political appointments that fail to reflect Nigeria's diversity.

“If Nigeria continues to treat the South-East as if the zone does not exist or does not matter, the consequences will be huge,” Igbokwe stated. “The civil war has ended, but the scars are still there. Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. Neglect of SE is bad.”

The comments from the APC stalwart tap into a growing undercurrent of dissatisfaction in the South-East, where many feel the region has been systematically overlooked in the distribution of key political roles, infrastructure development, and economic investments.

Igbokwe, who hails from the South-East but has long operated within Lagos’s political landscape, emphasized that peace and national unity are not sustainable in a system that excludes a significant section of the population. His appeal appeared to blend personal frustration with a broader call for inclusive governance—an appeal that resonates deeply within a country still grappling with the aftershocks of its civil war and ethnic tensions.

His post aligns with recent sentiments expressed by Senator Ali Ndume, who represents Borno South in the National Assembly. Ndume, a strong ally of President Tinubu, previously criticized the administration for what he described as an imbalanced approach to federal appointments. In his words, such a trend could "boomerang" if not urgently addressed.

Despite these criticisms, the Presidency has maintained that appointments under President Tinubu are based strictly on merit and the qualifications of those selected to serve in various capacities. However, detractors argue that merit alone cannot justify the underrepresentation of entire regions, especially when democratic equity and federal character principles are constitutionally enshrined in Nigeria's governance framework.

Political analysts believe Igbokwe’s statement may signal deeper fissures within the APC as regional stakeholders begin to express discontent more openly. It also raises questions about how the Tinubu administration plans to manage the delicate ethnic and regional balancing act that has defined much of Nigeria’s post-independence politics.

While the government continues to defend its choices, pressure is mounting from within and outside the party for greater inclusivity, particularly in the South-East—a region historically marginalized and still coping with the long shadows of the Biafran conflict.

Observers note that Igbokwe’s message, though measured, carried a weight of historical context. His reference to the scars of the civil war points to a lingering sentiment among many in the South-East who believe that reconciliation has been more rhetorical than practical. Calls for infrastructural development, political appointments, and equal economic opportunity continue to go unanswered, fueling resentment and fostering a sense of alienation.

As Nigeria navigates complex political and economic terrain, voices like Igbokwe’s highlight the urgent need for policies that reflect the nation's pluralism. His message serves as both a caution and a call to action: to build a united Nigeria, no region must be left behind.

In the weeks ahead, it remains to be seen whether the Tinubu administration will recalibrate its strategy to accommodate these growing concerns, or if the warnings from figures like Igbokwe and Ndume will go unheeded. Either way, the conversation about fairness, representation, and national unity is far from over.