December 14, 2025 — Dalena Reporters
Nigeria’s Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, has declared that agitations for the secession of Biafra have become unnecessary, arguing that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s style of inclusive governance has adequately addressed longstanding complaints of marginalisation in the South‑East.
Umahi made the remarks while speaking to journalists, as reported by The Punch, where he insisted that the current administration has demonstrated a clear commitment to national inclusion through strategic appointments, infrastructural development and political engagement across all regions of the country.
According to the former Ebonyi State governor, the South‑East is benefiting significantly from Tinubu’s administration, particularly in the area of federal infrastructure projects, which he said reflect a renewed effort to integrate the region more fully into Nigeria’s economic and political framework. He cited major road and construction projects being executed by the Federal Government as evidence that grievances fueling separatist agitations are being systematically addressed.
Umahi argued that the President’s governance approach has opened channels of dialogue and participation for all parts of the federation, making agitation and confrontation counterproductive. He urged youths in the South‑East to embrace engagement with the Federal Government rather than pursue separatist narratives that, according to him, undermine development and stability.
The minister also emphasised that Tinubu’s appointments and policy decisions show deliberate efforts to ensure fairness and balance, noting that inclusion is not only about political positions but also about economic opportunities, infrastructure and a sense of belonging within the Nigerian state.
His comments come amid continued activities and rhetoric from pro‑Biafra groups, including the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), which have consistently accused successive federal administrations of neglecting and marginalising the South‑East. While security challenges linked to separatist agitation persist in parts of the region, federal authorities maintain that dialogue and development remain central to resolving the tensions.
Umahi maintained that the current moment presents an opportunity for reconciliation and progress, stressing that sustained development and national unity can only be achieved through cooperation rather than division. He called on political leaders, traditional rulers and community stakeholders in the South‑East to support the Federal Government’s agenda and discourage actions capable of escalating insecurity.
Political analysts note that Umahi’s position reflects the stance of several South‑East politicians aligned with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), who argue that engagement with the centre offers a more viable path to addressing regional concerns than separatist agitation.
As debates over inclusion, federal character and regional grievances continue, Umahi’s remarks underscore the broader political contest over how best to resolve Nigeria’s long‑standing unity challenges through structural reforms, development‑driven governance, or continued agitation from dissatisfied groups.