Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
Former House of Representatives member, Uche Onyeagocha, has claimed that many political office holders especially governors in the South-East are not home-groomed but installed by external forces to serve their selfish and anti-Igbo interests.
The former Secretary to Imo State Government who made the assertion Thursday while featuring on Ikengaonline townhall meeting, regretted that instead of advancing the cause of Ndigbo, the imposed office holders rather pursue the interest of their godfathers even when such interests are at variance with the Igbo interests.
He further regretted that individuals with questionable means of income had hijacked political power in the South-East, a dangerous trend, he warned, posed grave danger to the future of the zone.
The astute politician and lawyer said time had come for Ndigbo to resist imposition by external influences, and start recruiting their own leaders from among those that really understand their plights.
According to him, leaders foisted on the South-East pay little or no attention to the challenges of the zone but are only after wealth accumulation and embezzlement of public funds.
He regretted that many of those who are home grown with full understanding of the challenges of the zone and willingness to proffer solution, are never allowed to get close to power.
“It’s unfortunate that many of our Governors and political leaders come from outside. They are after how much wealth to steal and invest abroad.”
Onyeagocha further regretted that unlike their counterparts from the other geo-political zones, political office holders from the South-East have their investments outside South-East.
He spoke on the theme, “Shaping Future Leaders: The Role of Political Grooming in South-East Governance.“
