Chief Chinedu Nsofor, erstwhile Special Assistant to the late Ohanaeze President General, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, has kicked against the recent comment made by the Minister of Works, Dave Umahi claiming that the South East has no cause to lament about marginalisation.

The former governor of Ebonyi State who was urging other Igbo leaders to support the South East Governors in working for the realisation of President Ahmed Tinubu?s reelection in 2027 in a statement he released to newsmen pointed out that the zone has improved on infrastructural development since the administration came on board.

However reacting to his comment, Nsofor who is also the National Coordinator of the Igbo Heroes Foundation said Umahi lacked the mandate to speak on behalf of Ndigbo on such crucial matters.

?Who is Senator Dave Umahi to articulate the needs and demands of the Igbo nation in such a myopic nature? Why would he equate a few infrastructural projects executed through his office as constituting the actual needs of the entire Igbo nation across all sectors of national development? This is a dangerous oversimplification and a betrayal of the larger Igbo agenda.? Nsofor said.

He further lamented what he described as a trend where certain leaders use their privileged access to the federal government to suppress genuine agitation and trade the interests of the region for personal and political gain.

?The current generation of leaders, such as Umahi, have deviated sharply from the vision of their predecessors. ?Our great leader, Chief Iwuanyanwu, was among the few who truly articulated the developmental needs of Ndigbo.

?His generation believed in equity, justice, and holistic development, not political tokenism.? ?We at the Igbo Heroes Foundation, where Chief Iwuanyanwu served as our founding chairman, cannot sit and watch his legacies and all he fought for be exchanged for cheap political rewards.?

?The Foundation insists that the demands of the Southeast region are longstanding and non-negotiable.

?For the avoidance of doubt, what the Igbos want has always been clear. We demand for Igbo presidency; since no Igbo man has been President of Nigeria or head of state since after 1966, we demand for the creation of an additional state to bring the Southeast in line with other zones, the immediate release of Nnamdi Kanu for peace to return to the region, and the inclusion of the Southeast in the national security council.?

He also reiterated the region?s long-held call for the restructuring of Nigeria to allow each region develop at its own pace, and for the implementation of rotational presidency to promote equity and national unity.

Nsofor cited several previous positions by prominent Igbo leaders in favour of restructuring and warned that ignoring these demands would only deepen national disunity.

Reacting to Umahi?s recent comments and the proposed Southeast Summit being reportedly convened by him, Nsofor described it as an ?alleged gathering of selfish leaders poised to mortgage the collective aspirations of the Igbo people.?

?Such a summit is unacceptable to us. The Igbo Heroes Foundation and indeed all true sons and daughters of Igbo land must reject attempts to dilute our collective struggle with staged narratives for political convenience.?

He further alleged that ?Umahi and his associates are attempting to scuttle the Igbo agenda for the sake of what they are personally benefiting from the Tinubu government. ?We are not against anyone serving in government, but no one should attempt to sell off the soul of Alaigbo for appointments.?

Nsofor admitted that Senator Umahi may be one of the most performing ministers in the current administration but warned against using performance as a license to distort Igbo demands.

?Performance does not give you the right to betray your people,? he said. ?Even the Yoruba and Hausa-Fulani nations do not compromise their regional interests because a few individuals are appointed to government positions. Instead, they use such platforms to further project their collective agenda. Why should the Igbo situation be different? Are we really cursed in Alaigbo??

He also added ?Let Senator Umahi face his job and use his office to advance the Igbo cause, not undermine it. That is what is expected of every well-meaning son or daughter of Alaigbo. The Igbo Heroes Foundation remains committed to protecting the legacies of great leaders like Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu CFR and upholding the true demands of our people.? Nsofor stated. (Daily Sun, but headline rejigged)

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