A political pressure group, Alliance of Igbo Professionals has highlighted the need for Ndigbo to Allign with the center to guarantee more dividends of democracy from the present government.
Convener of the group, Comrade Ugochukwu Nwosueke, declared this, while highlighting President Bola Tinubu’s legacies in the South East over the last two years. He emphasized the need for the region to align decisively with the centre.
Comrade Nwosueke made the call during a media chat in Umuahia, the capital city of Abia State.
He stated that the challenge before the Igbos is to work towards translating President Tinubu’s administration’s national achievements into regional gains.
“As we approach the midpoint of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s tenure, the South East must align decisively with the centre in other to translate the national achievements of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration into regional gains, and by delivering the majority of votes in the South East geopolitical zone for our dear President in 2027.
“My dear Ndi Igbo, the time for token support has passed. The President’s leadership has fundamentally improved our economy, empowered our youth, and begun to bridge the development gap in our zone. Now, we must channel these achievements into electoral victories, ensuring the South East sits at the heart of Nigeria’s renewed hope, as we expect more from the current administration. ,” Comrade Nwosueke saud.
Comrade Nwosueke said that the achievements of President Tinubu’s administration included attracting proposed investments worth $50.8 billion, doubling aggregate national revenues to over ₦9.1 trillion in H1 2024, and achieving a GDP growth rate of 3.4% in 2024.
He noted that the government has recorded a significant increase in foreign remittances, with an estimated $23.4 billion received, representing a 61.1% year-on-year increase.
The Convener of the Alliance of Igbo Professionals also recalled the Compressed Natural Gas initiative, saying it will save over ₦2 trillion per month in petrol imports.
Comrade Nwisueke emphasized that the re-commencement of the Port Harcourt–Maiduguri corridor will ultimately link Aba and Onitsha hubs to northern markets, unlocking ₦50 billion in annual trade throughput.
He also underscored the importance of the South East Development Commission (SEDC), established in July 2024, with a constituted board and executive management team.
“The SEDC’s ‘Triple-R’ mandate (Rehabilitation, Reconstruction, Reintegration) is already off to a great start with steps taken under the able leadership of the commission’s board with its recent MOU signing with the UNDP for a South East Integrated Development Masterplan,” Kalu added.
Comrade Nwosueke also highlighted several other initiatives, including the construction of housing units, fertilizer distribution, and mechanized equipment for farmers.
Comrade Nwosueke appealed to the Federal Government to prioritize several high-impact interventions, including constructing key gas pipeline infrastructure across the South East, supporting capacity expansions at the AHL and ANOH plants in Imo State, and dredging and rehabilitating the Onitsha River.
“To leverage the South East’s comparative strengths and fast-track President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, the Federal Government can seize the following high-impact interventions to accelerate the construction of key gas pipeline infrastructure across the South East to spur industrialization in Enugu, Ebonyi, Imo, Abia, and Anambra states, ensuring affordable compressed natural gas (CNG), liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), and industrial feedstock reach transport hubs, agro-processors, and SMEs.”
He also called for fast-tracking of the Onne container terminal upgrade under the Port Harcourt corridor plan, integrating South East logistics with South-South hubs.
“Identify and develop sea-ports at Bonny/Opobo and Bakassi to relieve Lagos congestion and unlock export pathways for South East agricultural and manufactured goods,” Comrade Nwosueke added.