Tensions flared in the Nigerian Senate during a recent plenary as Senator Osita Ngewu, the senator representing Enugu West Senatorial District sharply confronted Senate President Godswill Akpabio over what he described as continued marginalization of the Southeast in national development plans.
In a video shared by TV Platinum, Senator Osita, visibly emotional, addressed the Senate President directly: “Why do you hate Igbo people?” The question came during a heated exchange over the distribution of infrastructure projects under the federal government’s Renewed Hope Agenda..…CONTINUE READING
The confrontation followed revelations that over N1.3 trillion had been released for national infrastructure, with the South West allegedly receiving the lion’s share. In contrast, Senator Osita noted, the Southeast was entirely left out of key allocations, particularly in the water resources sector.
Referencing the long-stalled Evo Dam project, the senator said:
“Evo Dam was last funded 12 years ago with N5 billion. Since then, nothing. I’ve written three letters to the Ministry of Water Resources—no response. Meanwhile, N66 billion was allocated to another zone, and the Southeast got zero. Mr. President, what kind of omission is that?”
Calling the omission “expensive and deliberate,” Senator Osita accused the federal leadership of sidelining his region repeatedly. “The Southeast cannot continually be treated the way Nigeria is treating the Southeast,” he said.
Other lawmakers joined the debate, with senators from the North and other zones also expressing concerns over lopsided allocations in various sectors such as roads, agriculture, and power. “We must remind the makers of the Renewed Hope Agenda that every part of Nigeria deserves equal development,” one senator added.
In response, Senate President Akpabio attempted to calm the situation, dismissing allegations of bias. “It could be a genuine omission,” he said, promising that the Senate leadership would meet with the Ministry of Water Resources to address the concerns. “Our President listens, and so do our ministers. Let’s not overflow this issue,” Akpabio urged.
The Senate eventually agreed to suspend further debate on the matter, pending consultations with relevant federal ministries. However, the intensity of Senator Osita’s confrontation sent a clear message—that growing frustration over perceived regional injustice can no longer be ignored within the nation’s highest legislative chamber.
Click the link to watch the video from 0:01
