A prominent figure in the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Enugu State, Comrade Adolphus Ude, has launched a scathing critique against the Minister of Works, Senator Dave Umahi. Ude's rebuke follows Umahi's recent assertion that the Igbo people are well-integrated and comfortable with the administration of President Bola Tinubu.
Ude Labels Umahi 'Efulefu', Contradicts Claims of Igbo Contentment
Comrade Adolphus Ude, who previously served as a deputy chairman in the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Enugu before joining the ADC, described Minister Umahi's remarks as "misleading, selfish, and unreflective" of the prevailing sentiment in the Southeast. He directly contradicted Umahi's position, insisting that the marginalisation of the Igbo nation has not only persisted but has worsened since President Tinubu assumed office on May 29, 2023.
Ude, while reaffirming his support for a united Nigeria and opposing secessionist agendas, firmly rejected the notion that Igbos are happy with the current federal governance. He pointedly asked which of the region's long-standing grievances the Tinubu government has addressed.
Exclusion from Mega Projects and Slow Pace of Work
A central pillar of Ude's argument is the alleged systematic exclusion of the Southeast from the Tinubu administration's signature infrastructure initiatives. He highlighted that the multi-trillion Naira Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and the Sokoto-Badagry Highway were both awarded to Hitech Construction Company Limited without any segment passing through the five states of the Southeast.
"Which inclusive governance is the 'efulefu' Minister talking about," Ude questioned, "when the entire South East was excluded from the two outrageously priced signature road infrastructure projects?" He lamented that not even an ordinary bypass from these projects touches Abia, Anambra, Enugu, Imo, or Ebonyi States.
Furthermore, Ude criticised the slow pace of work on critical federal roads inherited by the administration. He noted that projects like the Enugu-Port Harcourt, Owerri-Onitsha, and Enugu-Onitsha expressways remain largely uncompleted after two and a half years. He also referenced the Ninth Mile-Enugu-Makurdi Highway, announced in January 2024, where the Enugu axis remains in a decrepit state.
Call for Equity and Fairness in Federal Allocation
Ude challenged Minister Umahi to disclose the total monetary worth of ongoing federal road projects in the Southeast, contrasting it with reports that the Federal Executive Council approved projects worth about N3.9 trillion for Lagos State alone in two years. He argued this disparity undermines claims of inclusion.
On political appointments, Ude highlighted another dimension of marginalisation, stating that Ogun State alone has four ministerial positions, just one less than the entire Southeast region's five. He cautioned Umahi against making statements detrimental to Igbo interests, stating that no wise politician plays politics with the destiny of his people.
In his concluding remarks, the ADC chieftain emphasised that without equity, fairness, and justice in infrastructure allocation and political appointments, Nigeria cannot achieve balanced development, peace, or progress, and agitations will continue.
