Frank Freds Nwosu, President of the Brainbox Farmers’ Association, Nigeria, has accused the Federal Government of deliberately depriving farmers in the South East of fertilizers while ensuring an overabundant supply in the South West, home to President Bola Tinubu.
Nwosu made this claim in a statement titled “A Desperate Reappraisal of the Nigerian Polity,” alleging systemic marginalization of the South East.
Nwosu, recognized as the Best Young Manager in Lagos in 1993, emphasized that the disparity in the distribution of agricultural inputs is part of a well-orchestrated plan.
He highlighted, “There is a fertilizer glut in Yorubaland, but not so in Igbo land. Farmers in both regions are receiving vastly different levels of support.”
He referenced his 2013 research published in his book The Clash of Civilizations, where he argued that the ongoing socio-political tensions in Nigeria stem from deep-rooted cultural conflicts, particularly between the Igbo in the East and the Fulani in the North.
According to Nwosu, this cultural struggle has spilled over into politics, further marginalizing the Igbo.
One local farmer expressed his frustrations, stating, “When I say we’re not in the same country, I speak from personal experience.”Nwosu also quoted a farmer who runs farms in both regions, saying, “I have a heavy-duty bike earned as agricultural support through the Agricultural Development Program in the South West, but visit any ADP office in the East, and it’s just sad tales.”
Nwosu pointed to the broader systemic neglect, drawing comparisons to the disparities in other government programs.
He recalled how mosquito nets were distributed door-to-door in parts of the South West by the Yakubu Gowon Foundation over a decade ago, contrasting it with the lack of such initiatives in the South East.
Reflecting on these differences, a retired senior citizen noted, “Both my NIN and voter cards are South West-denominated. While officials in the South East were extorting citizens, I walked into a Government House in the South West and got my NIN processed with courtesy. Everyone was treated the same way.”
In conclusion, Nwosu lamented, “The East and West of Nigeria are clearly different countries.”
He called for a reevaluation of government policies to ensure equitable treatment for all regions, particularly in agriculture and resource distribution.