Ohanaeze Ndigbo Issues Ultimatum to Federal Government Over Southeast Highway Decay

The apex Igbo socio-cultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has issued a stern warning to the federal government regarding the deteriorating state of major road networks in the Southeast. In a recent statement, the group declared the Owerri–Aba, Onitsha–Owerri, and Owerri–Port Harcourt highways a national infrastructure emergency, signaling that future political support from the region is contingent upon the immediate rehabilitation of these routes.

Economic and Safety Implications

According to the statement issued by factional Deputy President-General Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro and Professor Chibuikeya Achoakawa, these three highways serve as vital economic lifelines. They connect the Southeast to major commercial hubs in the South-South region. The organization argues that the current state of these roads has resulted in several negative outcomes:

• Crippled commercial activities and supply chains.
• Significant increases in transportation costs for goods and passengers.
• Heightened security risks for commuters.
• Increased frequency of fatal accidents due to poor road conditions.

The organization emphasized that while they acknowledge federal investment in other areas—such as the reported ₦248 billion allocated for road infrastructure in Ebonyi State—the specific neglect of these three arterial roads remains a point of contention that cannot be overlooked.

Accountability and Political Pressure

Ohanaeze Ndigbo has directed a portion of its criticism toward the Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodinma, who also serves as the Chairman of the Southeast Governors’ Forum. The group accused the Governor of prioritizing political maneuvering and personal ambitions over the urgent infrastructure needs of the region. They contend that his position within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) should be leveraged to secure federal intervention rather than being characterized by what they describe as administrative complacency.

The Path Forward

The organization has called upon President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to issue a direct mandate to the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, to prioritize the reconstruction of these highways. The group expressed a desire to see meaningful rehabilitation work commence before the upcoming Christmas season, a period typically marked by high traffic volume across these routes.

The statement concluded with a clear message to the federal administration: political mobilization and campaign promises cannot substitute for the tangible benefits of functional infrastructure. While the group stated that Ndigbo do not harbor animosity toward the President, they maintained that the continued neglect of these essential corridors would jeopardize the APC’s electoral prospects in the region during the 2027 elections. As of the time of reporting, there has been no official response from the Federal Ministry of Works or the office of the Imo State Governor regarding these specific demands.

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p class=”vbna-source-note”>Source: Daily Post Nigeria

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