Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe Criticises Tinubu’s Cabinet Reshuffle, Says Southeast Faces “Renewed Shege......See Full Story>>.....See Full Story>>
Abia South Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe has openly condemned President Bola Tinubu’s recent cabinet reshuffle, arguing that it reflects a disregard for the Southeast region.
Abaribe asserted that the move only brings more challenges for his constituents, calling it “Renewed Shege” instead of the administration’s purported “Renewed Hope.”
The reshuffle included the removal of Uju-Ken Ohanenye as Minister of Women Affairs, replaced by Bianca Ojukwu as Minister of State for Foreign Affairs. This shift, however, has been met with disapproval by Abaribe, who contends it signifies an ongoing neglect of the Southeast.
“For my constituents, nothing has changed. They call it ‘Renewed Shege’ not ‘Renewed Hope,’” Abaribe said, pointing to the cabinet changes as emblematic of what he perceives as a continuation of hardship for the region.
Senator Abaribe also accused President Tinubu of violating the federal character principle enshrined in the Nigerian constitution. According to Abaribe, this principle — meant to ensure fair representation of all regions — has been disregarded for the past 18 months.
“The president has breached it for the last 18 months. We thought that with these changes, maybe there will be some adjustments that will also put some balm on what is going on in the minds of people from the South East,” he said. “I want to tell everyone that the Igbos want fairness and equity, which are in the constitution. Treat us as you are treating everybody else.”
Abaribe’s remarks reflect a broader sense of discontent within the Southeast, where leaders and constituents alike have repeatedly called for equitable political representation and inclusion.