MASSOB slams SEDC leadership, calls for sack of Okoye, others

From Stanley Uzoaru, Owerri

The Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra, (MASSOB) has condemned the current leadership of the South East Development Commission, (SEDC) describing it as “a blatant disgrace and ignominy to Ndigbo.”

In a statement issued from Owerri and signed by MASSOB leader, Uchenna Madu, the group singled out SEDC Managing Director, Mark Okoye, Board Chairman, Dr. Emeka Nworgu, Executive Director of Projects, Toby Okechukwu, and Executive Director of Finance, Stanley Ohajuruka, accusing them of mismanaging the commission.

MASSOB recalled that the South East Development Commission Establishment Act 2024 was created for the “reconstruction, rehabilitation and reconciliation” of areas damaged during the Nigeria-Biafra war.

The group alleged that the current leadership, which it described as “inexperienced political criminals,” has “intentionally and consciously failed Ndigbo” in carrying out that mandate.

The group cited the commission’s recent appearance before a Senate committee, during which Senator Tony Okechukwu Nwoye, it said, lamented the allocation of funds to conferences, seminars, CCTV, and drones.

MASSOB noted that the commission budgeted ₦10.5 billion for CCTV and drones and another ₦3.5 billion for regional security operations. It also claimed the commission has spent ₦2.4 billion on office expenses and ₦1.6 billion on vehicles.

MASSOB further alleged that SEDC has no functional physical office in the South East more than a year after the board’s inauguration, and has not made the Enugu office provided free of charge by the state government. The group also said Okoye could not state the commission’s credit balance when questioned by Senators Enyinnaya Abaribe and Orji Uzor Kalu.

MASSOB is demanding that President Bola Tinubu immediately sacks all current SEDC appointees and replace them with “Igbo men of integrity and zeal who experienced the Nigeria-Biafra war,” arguing that the commission’s purpose is tied to post-war rehabilitation and reconstruction.

The group also commended Senators Abaribe, Kalu, Nwoye and Victor Umeh “for their astute and pragmatic stand in exposing the blatant criminalities and embezzlement of huge funds meant for the development of Igbo land.”

MASSOB argued that with transparency and financial discipline, SEDC could become a platform for crowdfunding to drive urbanisation and infrastructure in Igbo land, reducing reliance on federal allocation.