Chief Chekwas Okorie, Convener of the Igbo Agenda Dialogue, has accused President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of practicing nepotism on a scale surpassing that of his predecessor, former President Muhammadu Buhari.
Speaking in reaction to the distribution of ministerial positions in Tinubu’s administration, Okorie recalled that Buhari was widely criticized throughout his eight years in power for marginalizing the Southeast. However, he argued that the current president has gone even further by concentrating influence within his closest circle of allies.
“President Tinubu has proved that President Buhari was a learner in nepotism. Ogun State alone has five powerful ministers, while the entire Southeast has only five,” he declared.
Okorie stressed that ministerial portfolios are not mere symbols but crucial instruments for shaping national policy and controlling the flow of federal resources. According to him, the lopsided allocation in Tinubu’s cabinet reflects entrenched favoritism that undermines equity and inclusiveness.
“The Southeast has a strong population and contributes massively to Nigeria’s economy, yet it is consistently shortchanged. Such exclusionary practices send dangerous signals about belonging and fairness in this country,” he warned.
He further urged leaders of the Southeast to rise above party differences and confront what he described as a deliberate political imbalance. Keeping silent, he said, would only embolden further marginalization of the region.
Okorie’s remarks reflect a broader sentiment of frustration across the Southeast, where many residents believe Tinubu’s appointments heavily favor the Southwest, particularly his home state of Ogun. Critics fear that such disparities in representation risk deepening national divisions in a country already grappling with questions of trust, inclusivity, and equitable governance.
