South East Roads Are Death Traps, Igbo Group Tells Tinubu, Threatens Lawmakers’ Re-election

By Our Correspondent

The Igbo Community Association in the Federal Capital Territory (ICA FCT) has raised the alarm over the worsening condition of federal roads linking Abuja to the South East, describing them as “death traps” and calling on the Federal Government to take urgent action.

In a press statement issued in Abuja on Wednesday, the association lamented what it described as a glaring imbalance in resource allocation, noting that key road corridors connecting the nation’s capital to the South East have suffered decades of neglect.

The statement, signed by the President General, Engr. Ikenna Ellis-Ezenekwe, and the Secretary General, Mazi Emmanuel Chinwoke Onah, reaffirmed the association’s commitment to safeguarding the rights and aspirations of Igbo people in the FCT, across Nigeria and in the diaspora.

According to the group, the deplorable state of the roads has continued to endanger the lives of commuters while turning the routes into safe havens for criminal activities, thereby worsening insecurity and disrupting economic activities in the region.

“The continued neglect of these strategic road networks fuels youth unrest, cripples trade and deepens the sense of marginalisation felt by the people of the South East,” the association stated, describing the situation as unacceptable.

The ICA FCT called on the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency on the affected roads, especially as traffic volume increases during the Christmas and New Year festivities.

“As citizens travel these routes during the festive season, their safety and dignity must be prioritised,” the statement added.

The group also appealed directly to lawmakers representing the South East and the Minister of Works to urgently intervene by rehabilitating and reconstructing the roads to standards befitting a region it described as critical to Nigeria’s unity and progress.

It warned that the poor condition of the road infrastructure has continued to stifle development while providing cover for criminals who exploit neglected corridors for kidnapping, armed robbery and other illicit activities.

Reaffirming the economic importance of the South East, the association stressed that the zone remains a major contributor to Nigeria’s growth and therefore deserves improved infrastructure, enhanced security and equitable distribution of national resources.

“The people of the South East deserve safe passage, better livelihoods and genuine inclusion in Nigeria’s growth narrative,” the statement read.

In a stern warning ahead of the 2027 general elections, the association said the patience of South East communities was wearing thin, warning that failure by elected representatives to act decisively would attract political consequences.

“Come 2027, if our lawmakers fail to act, we will not hesitate to mobilise voters against their re-election. The ballot is a powerful tool, and we will use it to hold leaders accountable,” the group declared.

The ICA FCT further challenged Igbo lawmakers to demonstrate genuine commitment to the welfare of their constituents, insisting that occupying public office without delivering tangible results was no longer acceptable.

The association also outlined its vision for an “Igbo Renaissance” anchored on dignity, inclusion and responsible leadership, while expressing hope that the relevant authorities would take urgent and decisive action to address the crisis.