Babachir Lawal, former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) says the South East region marginalised itself during the 2019 general election.
Mr Lawal, an ally of President Muhammadu Buhari, who sacked over his role in a grass-cutting scandal, also advised the geo-political zone to quit blaming others for their decision.
Nigerians during this year’s election, choosed their leaders mainly from the two major political parties in the country, the All Progressive Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
While President Muhammadu Buhari on the platform of the APC, sought a second term in office, Atiku Abubakar, candidate of the PDP was his major challenger. The President defeated the former vice president with over 4 million votes.
The recent marginalisation claim by indigenes from the Igbo predominantly area resurfaced when the APC made known its preferred candidates for leadership of the incoming 9th National Assembly expected to kick-off in June.
Weighing in on the issue, the former SGF noted that in politics those who reap are those who sowed even though it’s a risky venture. He said the people should blame themselves for their fate.
“They (South East) go their own way which they are entitled to doing and then they come round and say marginalization in an election in which they marginalised themselves,” Lawal said in an interview with TheSun.
“They marginalised themselves in this election. They went for PDP which lost.
“Nobody forced them to vote PDP. But they lost. So, that is politics. Politics is a game of risk. You lose, you sit down and watch through the window when people are chopping on the dining table. So, they shouldn’t blame anybody on marginalization,” he added.
Before the presidential election, allies of Mr Buhari urged the South East region to ensure they re-elect their principal by casting their votes for the president. The people played deaf ears and queued behind Mr Abubakar who had choosed their son as his Vice President. The PDP candidate has gone to the election tribunal, praying he be declared winner of the February 23 exercise.
