Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi state has stated that President Mohammadu Buhari has completed more projects for the South East than the previous PDP administration, which was in power for 16 years.
Umahi stated this during a Channels TV interview on Monday, June 14.
“The insecurity that they used against the APC is a seed that was sown during the PDP administration’s 16 years in power, and it began to germinate and bear fruit while they were still in power. That is why we are suffering now, and Mr President is doing everything he can to solve the problem.
I think APC is not doing a good job of marketing their government. Mr President has completed more projects in the south-east than the PDP did in 16 years.” he stated
The governor also refuted claims that South East Nigerians have never been included in Nigeria’s security architecture.
“People continue to claim that we are not represented in this nation’s Security Council meeting. That is where I disagree.
“When the late Attahiru was Chief of Army Staff (COAS), our brother Akanonu was ranked 15th, and Attahiru promoted him from 15th to second in command out of love and friendship.
“Now, the man should have told our people that this is a favour done to him, and we are representing you so that we can appreciate the late Chief of Army Staff and Mr President because the actual owner of the military is the number two who is in charge of operations and logistics.
“So that didn’t happen, which is why I had to pay a visit to the late Attahiru’s family on behalf of the Southeast to thank him for his service, and of course, his military assistant is also my junior brother, who is from the same local government as me. As a result, there is misinformation.
And when it was time to replace him, we said look, this man is from the Southeast, he is the second person who should occupy the position. That is misinformation because he is actually number 15,” he said.
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When asked if he believes South Easterners are marginalized, Governor Umahi, who also serves as the chairman of the Southeast Governors Forum said …
“My position is that there are certain things that happen in this country that even Mr President or Ministers are unaware of, such as when someone from the South East is due for a promotion or a particular appointment and is not appointed, how will Mr President know about it?”
My position is that we should express all of our grievances and the youths should give us the opportunity and chance to engage the centre. Some of these grievances we may take on our own and examine the issues, and then we will be able to say this is good or this is bad. For example, I had no idea that someone from the Southeast was the second-in-command in the Navy or the Air force. I can’t remember exactly. Some of these things must be known to us. I can’t say the South East isn’t marginalized, but it can’t be completely ignored,” he said.
The governor went on to say that as part of efforts to restructure the country and make it more inclusive, as well as to reduce tensions, Nigeria needs to produce one vice president who will represent each geopolitical zone.
“Well, I have a different take on the restructuring issue. My position on restructuring — for example, there has been some valid suggestions, such as having six vice presidents in the country. Each one is originating from a different geopolitical zone. Tension will go down. This is extremely important.
Now, I will recommend administrative restructuring, which includes strengthening sub-national governments, devolving power and responsibilities to sub-national governments, and abolishing local governments,” he said.
