The Ndigbo Unity Forum (NUF), a pan-Igbo socio-political organisation, has criticised past and present governors of the South-East region, accusing them of failing to deliver meaningful development since the return of democratic rule in 1999.
In a statement issued to mark 27 years of uninterrupted democracy in Nigeria, the Chairman of the organisation, Mr. Augustine Chukwudum, said the South-East had recorded disappointing levels of development despite its abundant human and natural resources.
According to him, the region has not witnessed the kind of visionary leadership that drove development during the era of the late Dr. Michael Okpara, former Premier of the old Eastern Region.
Chukwudum said Okpara’s investments in industrialisation, agriculture, education, water supply and rural development continue to impact the region decades after his administration, adding that many contemporary governors have failed to leave behind comparable legacies.
“We are still seeing the performance and legacy of Michael Okpara more than 60 years later. Today, many past and present governors cannot point to projects that will stand the test of time as their legacy,” he said.
The group questioned how funds received through internally generated revenue, federal allocations and donor agencies had been utilised over the years, arguing that the region remained underdeveloped despite significant financial inflows.
NUF also expressed concern over the declining state of agriculture in the South-East, noting that the sector was once a major source of revenue and economic growth in the region.
The organisation attributed rising food prices partly to inadequate investment in agriculture and called on state governments to revive the sector through innovation and strategic planning.
Chukwudum further lamented what he described as the failure of regional leaders to learn from developed countries they frequently visit, urging them to adopt policies and development models that have transformed economies elsewhere.
The group also cited concerns over reports of the importation of adulterated and poisonous palm oil into Nigeria, referencing recent warnings by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).
It argued that the development highlighted missed opportunities for the South-East to strengthen local palm oil production despite its historical advantage in the sector.
The forum called on citizens of the region to demand greater accountability from elected officials and urged governors to engage professionals and technocrats in governance.
“We have what it takes to make the South-East a paradise. Our governors must wake up and pursue policies that will drive industrialisation, agriculture and overall development,” Chukwudum said.
The organisation maintained that the performance of South-East governors over the past 27 years fell short of expectations and called for a renewed commitment to transformative leadership across the region.
