Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, representing Abia South, voiced his frustration over President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s recent cabinet reshuffle, stating that the South East region has once again been marginalized.
According to Abaribe, the president’s approach has, in his view, disadvantaged the South East more than the administration of Tinubu’s predecessor, Muhammadu Buhari.
In an interview with Arise TV on Thursday, the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) leader asserted that the South East should be represented by at least six ministers in the federal cabinet. This comes on the heels of Tinubu’s decision on Wednesday to dismiss five ministers, including Barr. Uju-Ken Ohanenye, Minister of Women Affairs, who hails from the South East. While Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu was appointed as Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Abaribe argues that the reshuffle failed to address the fundamental issue of fair regional representation.
“Constitutional Violations and Regional Imbalance”
Abaribe expressed his concern over the perceived disregard for Section 14 (3) (4) of Nigeria’s Constitution, which emphasizes balanced regional representation in federal appointments. He noted that the constitutionally-mandated federal character is not being upheld, with some zones receiving more ministers than they have states, while the South East remains with only five ministers.
“My constituents don’t see ‘Renewed Hope’ in this administration; they call it ‘Renewed Shege’ (Renewed Suffering),” he stated, underscoring the growing discontent in the region. Abaribe expressed that the reshuffle, which simply replaced one South East minister with another, did little to address deeper regional inequities or the perception that the administration is indifferent to the concerns of the South East.
“Symbolic Appointments Won’t Resolve Long-Standing Disparities”
Responding to the appointment of Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, widow of late Biafran leader Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu, Abaribe emphasized that symbolic gestures alone won’t alter public perception. “Yes, Bianca deserves to be a minister, but appointing her does not address the broader issue of equitable treatment for the South East,” he argued, adding that “fairness means each zone should have an equitable share of cabinet appointments.”
Abaribe pointed out that several strategic economic institutions, including the Central Bank of Nigeria and Ministry of Finance, are dominated by the South West, leading to questions about the commitment to national unity and equity. He emphasized that this approach could lead to a growing sense of alienation among citizens, particularly those in the South East.
“Fundamentals of Governance and Cost of Living Crisis”
Abaribe criticized Tinubu’s cabinet expansion, asserting that the decision has exacerbated governance costs at a time of significant economic hardship for Nigerians. He cited widespread disillusionment as inflation, fuel, and electricity prices continue to climb, while citizens perceive a government out of touch with their struggles.
“The fundamentals are wrong,” Abaribe stated, referring to Nigeria’s growing debt and the government’s failure to curtail excesses. “We are a poor country, yet the cost of governance keeps rising. What the man on the street sees is an extravagant government, and that is fueling public frustration.”
In his remarks, Abaribe called on the Tinubu administration to honor the principles of equity and federal character, warning that failure to address these disparities may further inflame public discontent across the nation.
