A former member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Linus Okorie, who represented Ohaozara/Onicha/Ivo Federal Constituency, has said that Nigeria’s unity and progress are being undermined by systemic exclusion and ethnic profiling, particularly against the Igbo.

Okorie expressed concern that this situation has worsened the challenges of hyperinflation, hunger, insecurity, and unemployment currently facing millions of Nigerians. He noted with regret what he described as infrastructural imbalance and minimal political appointments allotted to the Southeast.

Reacting to the president’s Independence Day address, Okorie said the cancellation of this year’s celebrations showed the depth of hardship and dissatisfaction in the country. While acknowledging the government’s economic projections, he emphasised that statistics offered little relief to citizens battling with severe living conditions.

He further criticized what he termed inequities in federal appointments and projects, citing disparities in road construction allocations and the exclusion of the Southeast from the national gas pipeline infrastructure despite its resource contributions.

Proffering solutions to the issues faced in the society, Okorie proffered a policy agenda for national inclusion, calling for equitable infrastructure distribution, strict compliance with federal character provisions, and a move toward restructuring for true federalism.