Hot SourceA former House of Representatives member, who represented the Ohaozara/Onicha/Ivo Federal Constituency, Hon. Linus Okorie, has said Nigeria’s unity is stained by systemic exclusion and ethnic profiling of the Igbos in the current dispensation.
He said the current scenario had provided nothing but discomfort to the millions of Nigerians facing hyperinflation, hunger, insecurity and unemployment.
He stated this during a meeting with journalists in Abakaliki, on Wednesday, wondering about the infrastructural imbalance of over N2 trillion in the South-West as against N446 billion in the South-East, among others.
He said the nation’s unity was being severely tested by systemic exclusion, economic targeting, and a growing pattern of ethnic intimidation against the Igbo people.
In response to President Bola Tinubu’s anniversary address, Okorie stated that the administration’s abrupt cancellation of independence celebrations spoke louder than any presidential speech, serving as a silent admission of the profound hardship and discontent gripping the nation.
“While acknowledging the President’s recitation of economic metrics, I emphasize that these figures provide no comfort to the millions of Nigerians facing hyperinflation, hunger, insecurity and unemployment.
“This national hardship is compounded by a deliberate policy of systemic marginalization that undermines the very principles of federal character and inclusive governance,” he said.
He pointed to patterns in ministerial appointments where the South-East receives only the constitutional minimum representation, while single states in other regions boast multiple full cabinet-rank ministers.
“I, hereby, point out stark evidence of infrastructure discrimination, revealing that analysis of federal projects shows the South-West allocated N2.5 trillion for road construction compared to the South-East’s paltry N446 billion,” he added.
He highlighted how the South-East remained the only region completely excluded from the national gas pipeline infrastructure despite one of its component states, Imo, holding the largest gas reserve in Nigeria, deliberately stifling the region’s industrial potential.
“I also highlight the large-scale demolition at the Lagos International Trade Fair Complex as a prime example of economic targeting, where on September 25, 2025, officials of the Lagos State Government, backed by heavy security, demolished at least 19 buildings, including a diagnostic center, a crèche, a mall, and offices, causing enormous financial losses and displacing hundreds of business owners, predominantly of Igbo origin.
“These demolitions were executed in a commando style, without the issuance of contravention notices and in blatant disregard for due process,” Okorie stated, emphasizing that the affected traders had lawful approvals from the Federalism Government through the Trade Fair Management Board, yet their investments were destroyed without warning.
“Beyond demolitions, I highlight the rising tide of ethnic profiling and intimidation in Lagos, which has created a climate of fear for Igbos,” he said.
He referenced the 2023 elections, where the U.S. Embassy noted “disturbing acts of violent voter intimidation and suppression” and the use of “ethnically charged rhetoric,” including a viral video where a prominent political figure warned Igbos to “stay at home” on election day if they would not vote for the APC.
Nigeria’s unity stained by ethnic exclusion against lgbos – Ex-Lawmaker, Okorie
