Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
Public policy expert and Director, Abuja School of Social and Political Thoughts, Dr Sam Amadi, has described the South-East geopolitical zone as “the most poorly governed zone in Nigeria.”
The former Chairman/CEO, Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), also said the zone has the weakest citizenship in the country.
Dr Amadi who made the remarks while featuring on the June edition of the Ikengaonline monthly townhall meeting Thursday night, lamented the lack of accountability as well as levity among political leaders in the zone.
“South-East is the most poorly governed zone in the country. There’s no accountability; there is abuse of power. And we have the weakest citizenship.”
The astute scholar and legal luminary further regretted the lack of zest among Igbo political leaders in advancing the cause of the region.
“If people are killed in any South-East state, the Governor will not even want it to be reported. No political leader will raise a voice about it. The few private individuals who may wish to talk will even be cautioned to be careful.”
The Ngor-Okpala, Imo State-born activist spoke on the theme: “South-East Governors, JAMB and Tertiary Education in Igboland.”
He regretted that South-East Governors failed to raise their voice during the recent controversy over the alleged sabotage of candidates from the zone in the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Exam, UTME, organised by the JointAdmissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB).
Dr Amadi expressed disappointment that no official statement came from the South-East Governors’ Forum over the matter which generated serious traction at the time.
He also expressed bewilderment that even when Commissioners of Education from the zone met in Enugu to deliberate on the matter that affected JAMB candidates from the zone, no official statement was released after the meeting.
Ikengaonline is a South-East-focused online media outfit which aims at giving voice to citizens of the South-East, parts of Rivers and Delta states, and highlights the challenges facing the region.
It is a publication of Ikenga Media and Cultural Awareness Initiative (IMCAI), a non-profit entity that seeks to promote positive socio-cultural values, accountability and good governance through media and public education.
