Outrage Is Valid, So Is Strategy: What the South East Must Learn from Osita Ngwu’s Outburst

When Senator Osita Ngwu stood on the Senate floor and asked: “When will the South East even have the lion’s share in any particular project?” he gave voice to what many in the region feel. Frustration. Abandonment. Repeated omission.

His example of the Ivo Dam, abandoned for over 12 years despite N5 billion already spent, is valid and sobering. He spoke truth. But truth is only half the story.

The timeline he referenced matters. Twelve years ago, the ruling party was not APC it was PDP. The South East largely supported PDP at the time. In fact, the region has consistently footed PDP candidates, even after former President Goodluck Jonathan left office. That loyalty hasn’t translated into tangible infrastructure, and that raises a tough question: Has the South East invested politically in those who could invest structurally in the region?

This is why the Governor of Anambra, Prof. Charles Soludo, made a critical point recently, one that should not be dismissed: The South East must begin to align with the federal government. Not for political submission, but for strategic inclusion.

Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu has been working in that direction. His advocacy for the South East goes beyond emotion it’s grounded in political calculus. Because in Nigerian politics, alignment is currency.

Senator Ngwu’s passionate appeal should not be dismissed. He is right to highlight the unjust neglect. But going forward, the South East must not just be the loudest voice in protest it must become the smartest voice in policy positioning.

Equity is a right. But in a system like ours, strategy is the engine that drives it.