Mark Okoye: Another ‘Yahoo Man’ Milking the Treasury of the South East?
Questions are increasingly being raised about the activities, spending and measurable impact of the South East Development Commission (SEDC), with critics asking the management of the commission, led by its Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Mark Okoye, to explain how billions of naira allocated to the commission are being translated into tangible development across the five South East states.
The criticism comes amid growing public frustration that the commission, established to drive reconstruction, rehabilitation and development in Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo states, has yet to convince many citizens that its financial resources are producing commensurate results on the ground.
Critics particularly point to what they describe as a proliferation of conferences, seminars, workshops and publicity-driven activities, while demanding more visible infrastructure, employment initiatives, agricultural programmes, industrial projects and other interventions that directly affect ordinary citizens.
One recent development that has attracted attention is Okoye’s appearance at an agricultural programme in the bush area of Nkanu, Enugu State, wearing a protective helmet. While supporters may describe the programme as evidence that the commission is moving into grassroots development, critics are asking for clear details of its financial commitment, beneficiaries, timelines, contractors and expected measurable outcomes.
The central question, therefore, is not whether officials of the commission can organise seminars or appear at project sites. It is whether the billions appropriated and released to the commission are producing development that citizens across the South East can see, touch and benefit from.
For many South-East youths, the issue should go beyond the political exchanges surrounding prominent figures such as Peter Obi and David Umahi. They argue that the SEDC deserves sustained public scrutiny because it controls public resources intended specifically for the development of the region.
There have also been allegations circulating in political and social discussions concerning tribal sentiments and derogatory remarks involving Ebonyi people. Such allegations require evidence and should not be treated as established facts without verification. However, if any public official is found to have made statements disparaging Ebonyians or any other South-East ethnic group, the appropriate response should be public accountability rather than silence.
Some critics have gone as far as arguing that the level of outrage would be significantly higher in Anambra or Imo if the SEDC leadership were perceived to have its roots in Abakaliki. Such claims reflect a deeper concern about perceived double standards within regional politics and the tendency to defend political allies while demanding accountability from opponents.
The South East Development Commission is not a private enterprise. Its resources are public funds, and its mandate is regional development.
Consequently, the people of Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo deserve regular explanations about the commission’s budget, projects, contracts, beneficiaries, implementation timelines and measurable outcomes.
The demand from South-East youths should therefore be simple: show us the projects, show us the figures, show us the beneficiaries and explain how every major allocation is being spent.
Accountability should not be selective, partisan or tribal. Whether the person in charge comes from Abakaliki, Awka, Owerri, Enugu or Umuahia, public resources must be accounted for.
The South East needs development—not endless seminars, publicity and political theatre.