Igbo leaders attack Buhari, drop bombshell!
– Igbo leaders in Enugu have accused President Buhari of marginalizing the people of the Southeast
– The leaders urges Buhari and his cabinet to hasten the pace at which policies are reached
– Governor Ugwuanyi urges Buhari to release more funds to Enugu state so as to enable them provide critical infrastructure that would stimulate economic growth and development
President Muhammadu Buhari has been accused of marginalizing the Igbos following claims of lopsided appointments and budget allocations, as well as lack of infrastructural development, The Sun reports.
This was the assertion of Igbo leaders at a town hall meeting in Enugu state, organized by the minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed.
Speaking at the meeting, Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu state urged the federal government revisit the Ada Rice Farm Irrigation project to make it fully functional to boost economic activities and provide employment.
Ugwuanyi called for the release of more funds to the states to enable them provide critical infrastructure that would stimulate economic growth and development.
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President Muhammadu Buhari has been accused of marginalizing Igbo following claims of lopsided appointments and budget allocations.
He expressed hope that the town hall meeting would open the doors for more development in Enugu state and the zone.
On his part, former information minister, Chief Nnia Nwodo criticised the government for being slow in delivering whatever it has in stock for Nigerians.
He said: “Can you hasten the pace at which policies are reached; we have listened to great programmes lined up for Nigerians, fantastic ideas but when will they be implemented?
“The people of this part of the country have felt marginalised for a very long time. You didn’t create states; when states were created we were short- changed. When local government was created we were short-changed.
“I know local governments that are not as populous as two towns in my local government but they were given governments; military governors were giving out local governments. This administration does not look at the issue of restructuring Nigeria with a view to containing the eruptions in various parts of the country.
“The people of the South East feel they are still being punished because of the war. We want a country that is united and peaceful.
“All the economic efforts you are making will be useless without unity and love amongst us.”
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But in a swift response, Alhaji Lai Mohammed noted that the Buhari-led government has no intent to marginalize any part.
He said the town hall meeting in Enugu was the fifth in a series, which started in Lagos in April and is aimed at bridging the gap between the government and the people.
He said: “This government has no intent to marginalise any part of the country either in appointments or execution of projects; no part of the country will be short-changed. The president is that of all Nigerians irrespective of religion, ethnicity or political party.
“Nigeria was passing through a critical period in history and we are faced with two choices; whether to continue along the old path that had brought us to where we are today; or to chart a new course.
“We have chosen the latter simple because one cannot continue to do things the same way and expect a different result.”
Other speakers at the meeting including the Archbishop of Enugu Anglican Ecclesiastical Province, Most Rev. Emmanuel Chukwuma, traditional rulers and other stakeholders.
NAIJ.com recalls that Alhaji Lai Mohammed had said the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration had fulfilled its campaign promises to address insecurity, fix the economy and fight corruption.
Speaking at a meeting with the members of staff of the Nigerian Embassy in Madrid, Spain, he said Buhari was on the right track.
He noted that when Buhari took over power, 14 of the 20 local government areas of Borno, four in Adamawa and three in Yobe were under the sovereign authority of Boko Haram but with proactive measures, Buhari’s administration has been able to curb the activities of the insurgents.
In the area of economy, Mohammed said Buhari’s government inherited a messed up economy from its predecessors but they were implementing fiscal discipline and other measures to address the situation.
He gave the assurance that economic development would go round to everyone and no part of the country will be marginalized.
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