A senior member of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), from Abia State, Chief Sam Nkire says his party must give the South East geo-political zone special attention, in order to win them over in 2019.
Chief Nkire, who spoke in Abuja, at the weekend, said despite the fact that notable members of the opposition parties were defecting to the ruling party, the grassroots remained impoverished and therefore, dissatisfied.
The APC chieftain however praised the Federal Government for some projects being undertaken in the South East, including roads, but appealed to government to do more, to assuage the people’s feeling of neglect.
Nkire admitted that the infrastructural neglect of the South East did not begin with the present administration but added that more projects and developmental programmes would help strengthen the APC in the South East.
He urged Nigerians, especially people of the South East zone to continue praying and fasting for President Muhammadu Buhari’s quick recovery, to enable him “complete and do more projects in the South East.”
Chief Nkire blamed the crises-ridden People’s Democratic Party (PDP), which ruled Nigeria for 16 years, for the neglect and marginalisation of the people of the South East zone.
He said PDP appeared to be reaping its reward for the impoverishment of Nigeria during its long years in power, and added that, “no one should have pity on someone who sets fire to his own house.”