No South-East Exclusion Under Tinubu, Information Minister Insists

The Federal Government has dismissed claims that the South-East is being marginalised under the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, insisting that the region is receiving unprecedented attention through major infrastructure projects.

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, stated this, Friday, during a breakfast meeting with journalists, at the Michael Okpara Auditorium Umuahia, where he defended the administration’s record in the South-East.

Alhaji Idris who was responding to questions on the perception that the region was being excluded from the affairs of government, argued that the Tinubu administration has demonstrated inclusiveness through strategic investments and sustained engagement with South-East states.

The Minister cited ongoing federal road projects across the South East region as evidence of the President Tinubu led administration’s commitment to inclusive governance.

“I think that for the first time in a very long time, we are seeing a government that is very, very inclusive.

“If you look at the massive road projects that the federal government has embarked upon, I believe for the first time in a very long time, we have never had this kind of transformation.

“There is no part of this country that has been excluded from that. All parts of this country are fully and adequately represented.”

“So to be honest with you, I feel that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is paying great attention to the people and the governments of the South-Eastern part of this country, and many of the state governors are recognising that and appreciating that”, he said.

According to the Information Minister, President Tinubu further demonstrated his commitment by appointing former Ebonyi State Governor, Senator David Umahi, as Minister of Works to oversee the country’s extensive road infrastructure programme.

Alhaji Idris added that the scale of work underway in the South East region reflects the Federal Government’s determination to improve connectivity and economic development.

He further cited federal investments in healthcare, including the establishment of one of Nigeria’s advanced cancer treatment centres in Enugu, noting that the Tinubu administration was also implementing the construction and upgrade of about 1,000 primary healthcare centres nationwide.

“For someone who said the South-East is probably excluded, out of the first three cancer centres that were established in this country, one is in Enugu”.

The Minister added that beyond infrastructure, the President has maintained regular engagement with governors in the region as well as ensuring that states had greater financial resources to pursue development projects.

“So I think we need to move away from this perception that attention is not being placed on the South-East. Even if that was the case before, the presidency of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is working to ensure that that is being corrected”, Alhaji Idris stated.

The minister further maintained that the president Tinubu administration’s developmental efforts were complemented by deliberate steps to tackle insecurity in the region.

He described the recently concluded South-East Regional Security Summit held in Umuahia as part of the federal government’s strategy to strengthen collaboration among security agencies and state governments.

Idris said recommendations from the summit would be presented to President Tinubu for further action aimed at addressing insecurity across the region.

“The presence of the Federal Government delegation here in Umuahia yesterday is a further demonstration of the commitment of the President to continue to engage with this region.

“One of the biggest problems we have here is the issue of security, and that is why this summit was convened. 

“So I truly don’t believe that there is this exclusion, if you will, of the South-Eastern states in the scheme of things in this country. Rather, there is now an improved and enhanced engagement with the South-Eastern states with a view to making sure that the full potential of this region is being harnessed for the benefit of all Nigerians”, he said. 

He described the people of the South-East as “very industrious, very hardworking and very resilient”, stressing that guaranteeing their safety remains essential to Nigeria’s economic stability.

Addressing questions on the activities of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and the detention of its leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, the minister declined comment, saying the matter was before the courts.

He, however, maintained that the Federal Government remains committed to finding lasting solutions to insecurity through dialogue and institutional collaboration.

“The fact that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his government are already in the South-East for the first time, bringing together all the states of the South-East to discuss this issue of security and to find a common solution to that.

” I think it is a necessary first step that all of us will have to embrace and deepen for better engagement, for better coordination, so that we can find a lasting solution to the issue of insecurity here.”

On concerns over state governments executing federal road projects, Alhaji Idris described such arrangements as a longstanding collaborative practice between the Federal Government and sub-national governments.

The minister also defended responsible borrowing by governments, arguing that the real issue was not borrowing itself but the prudent application of borrowed funds.

He said President Tinubu had consistently ensured that statutory allocations due to states were released without political considerations, adding that “there is no political difference that will make the president withhold any resource belonging to any state of the federation”.

The information Minister further disclosed that the Federal Government established a National Communications Team to improve coordination of official messaging across ministries and agencies as well as strengthen collaboration with commissioners for information in the states.

Earlier in his welcome address, the Abia State Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, described the breakfast meeting as an opportunity to strengthen collaboration between the Federal Ministry of Information and the state government.

Prince Kanu reaffirmed the commitment of the Abia State government to transparency, responsible information dissemination, national unity and policies that promote inclusive development.

He expressed confidence that the engagement would deepen cooperation, encourage meaningful dialogue and improve communication between government and citizens and commended the Minister for revitalising engagement with Commissioners for Information across the country through regular consultations.

The national president of the Radio and Theater Arts Workers Union, Prince Emeka Kalu, members of the Presidential National Communication Team, Media Executives and Heads of federal agencies were present during the interaction.

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