Ohanaeze Holds Uzodimma Accountable For Owerri–Aba, Owerri–PH, Uloakwu–Etche Highways, Commends Tinubu, Umahi On Owerri–Onitsha Repairs

Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide has called on Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma, to engage President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over the deplorable conditions of major federal highways passing through the state, insisting that his position as Chairman of the Southeast Governors Forum places additional responsibility on him to pursue the region’s infrastructure needs.

The organisation specifically identified the Owerri–Aba Highway, Owerri–Port Harcourt Highway and Uloakwu–Imerienwe–Umuekwune–Etche Expressway as roads requiring urgent federal intervention.

In a statement issued on Saturday, November 14, 2026, by its Deputy President General, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, and Secretary General, Professor Chibuikeya Achoakawa, the apex Igbo sociocultural organisation expressed concern that the condition of the highways continues to affect transportation, businesses and commercial activities across the Southeast and neighbouring states.

Ohanaeze maintained that the affected roads are important economic routes linking the Southeast to Rivers State, Abia State and other parts of the country, arguing that their poor condition directly affects regional commerce and the daily activities of millions of Nigerians.

The organisation said Governor Uzodimma should give greater attention to these infrastructure concerns, noting that his responsibility as Chairman of the Southeast Governors Forum extends beyond political meetings, party activities and preparations for the 2027 general elections.

According to the statement, the position requires sustained engagement with the Federal Government, effective representation of the region and the presentation of its infrastructure challenges to the President for urgent attention.

Ohanaeze also expressed disappointment over what it described as the governor’s greater political attention to 2027 calculations at the expense of pressing infrastructure concerns confronting Imo State and the wider Southeast.

It argued that a regional leader should demonstrate consistent commitment to addressing the condition of critical economic highways within the region rather than allowing them to remain neglected.

The organisation therefore challenged Uzodimma to engage President Tinubu and pursue the necessary federal intervention for the rehabilitation and reconstruction of the affected roads.

Meanwhile, Ohanaeze commended President Tinubu and the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, for the Federal Government’s response to its earlier appeal for urgent intervention on the Owerri–Onitsha Expressway.

It expressed appreciation for the inclusion of the highway in the Federal Government’s rehabilitation and repair plans following its public demand for attention to the road.

The organisation described the response as an indication of the importance of constructive engagement and public advocacy, while also acknowledging Umahi’s attention to critical road infrastructure across the Southeast.

However, it stressed that the attention given to the Owerri–Onitsha Expressway should not result in other major highways in Imo State being overlooked.

It reiterated that the Owerri–Aba, Owerri–Port Harcourt and Uloakwu–Imerienwe–Umuekwune–Etche roads equally require urgent rehabilitation and reconstruction, urging Governor Uzodimma to pursue their inclusion with the same level of urgency.

Ohanaeze further maintained that the governor must ensure that Imo State and the Southeast receive adequate presidential attention on their infrastructure needs, adding that regional leadership should be measured by tangible efforts to address the challenges confronting the people.

The organisation said it would continue to demand measurable action rather than political promises, stressing that residents and businesses across the Southeast need functional highways, safer transportation networks and roads that support economic activities.

It also maintained that political support should not be demanded through speeches, party affiliations or electoral calculations while the everyday economic difficulties caused by poor infrastructure remain unaddressed.

According to the statement, the condition of the highways would remain an important consideration in assessing the performance of political leaders and their commitments to the Southeast.

Reiterating its position, Ohanaeze called on Governor Uzodimma to shift attention to the infrastructure challenges, engage the Federal Government and pursue concrete results, insisting that the Southeast needs effective representation of its interests at the federal level.

The statement was jointly signed by Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, Deputy President General, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, and Professor Chibuikeya Achoakawa, Secretary General, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide.