Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, recently asserted that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is the first Nigerian leader to truly remember the Igbo people since the civil war.
While this statement appears to commend Tinubu’s efforts in the South East, it oversimplifies the historical contributions of past administrations toward the region’s development.
Kalu’s remark, likely intended to underscore Tinubu’s initiatives such as the establishment of the South East Development Commission (SEDC), risks distorting the broader narrative of governance in Nigeria.
It is vital to contextualize such claims to avoid perpetuating a skewed understanding of the South East’s relationship with successive federal administrations.
After the civil war, the Gowon administration introduced the “Three Rs” policy—Reconstruction, Rehabilitation, and Reconciliation—as a framework for reintegrating the Igbo into the Nigerian state.
While the implementation of this policy was fraught with challenges, it marked an early attempt at addressing the region’s needs.
Similarly, subsequent administrations had made notable strides, albeit inconsistently, in fostering development in the South East.
For instance, the Second Niger Bridge, initiated by previous governments and completed during the Muhammadu Buhari administration, stands as a testament to federal attention to infrastructure in the region.
Moreover, leaders such as Shehu Shagari, Olusegun Obasanjo, and Goodluck Jonathan implemented various programmes and projects aimed at improving the region’s socio-economic development.
To suggest that Tinubu is the sole president to address Igbo concerns overlooks these efforts.
Kalu’s assertion also risks reducing the obligation of government to a matter of benevolence.Addressing the developmental needs of any region is not an extraordinary act of kindness but a fundamental duty of government.
Framing Tinubu’s gestures as unprecedented diminishes the expectation of equitable development as a right, not a privilege, for all regions of the country.
That said, Kalu’s comments do highlight a lingering concern: the perception of marginalization among the Igbo. This sentiment has persisted over the decades, driven by underrepresentation and systemic inequalities.
Tackling these issues requires more than symbolic gestures—it demands consistent, structural changes that promote inclusivity and equity across the board.
Rebuilding trust with marginalized groups like the Igbo entails more than physical infrastructure. It involves fostering an environment of equality and genuine inclusion in decision-making processes.
The establishment of the South East Development Commission by the Tinubu administration is indeed a commendable step, but its success will depend on sustained commitment, transparency, and measurable outcomes.
The SEDC must prioritize long-term developmental goals that address the core challenges faced by the South East, rather than serving as a short-term political gesture.
Kalu’s remarks also inadvertently frame the South East as reliant on federal goodwill, rather than emphasizing the region’s indispensable contributions to the nation. The Igbo people have played a crucial role in Nigeria’s economy, culture, and politics, and deserve recognition and development as a matter of national duty, not charity.
The South East, like every region in Nigeria, deserves respect, representation, and meaningful progress—nothing less.
