Southeasterners Withdraw When Govt Fails Them — Mazi David Ihuoma Explains

EXCLUSIVE — Governance expert, Mazi David Ihuoma Esq., has highlighted the growing disengagement of citizens in Nigeria’s South-Eastern states due to persistent failures in delivering effective governance.

Speaking during a live discussion on VOP TV, Ihuoma explained that people in the region have high expectations of leadership, and when governments fail to provide basic services, accountability, and transparency, citizens often become apathic and disengaged.

“If you look at the South-Eastern states, you’ll understand their mindset about what constitutes good governance. If the government cannot provide it, they remain nonchalant and disengaged from government activities,” he said.

He argued that this attitude is not apathy born of laziness, but a rational response to decades of unfulfilled promises, lack of infrastructure, and weak institutional performance.

Ihuoma emphasized that the government must earn the trust of citizens through consistent, visible, and impactful policies, otherwise the democratic process risks losing legitimacy in these states.

“Good governance is not just a slogan — it’s about delivering results that improve lives. When that fails, people stop participating because they see no value in the system,” he added.

Observers note that Ihuoma’s comments reflect broader concerns about citizen engagement and accountability in Nigeria, especially in regions where government performance has historically lagged.