A South-East senator has suggested that former Governor Peter Obi would have run a better national government than incumbent President Bola Tinubu, pointing out that Igbos are sympathetic to people from other regions.

The lawmaker representing Abia South senatorial district, Enyinnaya Abaribe, slammed Mr Tinubu over its major appointments, claiming he has marginalised the South-East region.

Mr Abaribe, during a programme aired on Channels TV Monday night, described Mr Tinubu’s administration as nepotistic.

“Tinubu’s government is highly nepotistic. Everybody can see it. Let me give you one example. How can Ogun state have four ministers?” Mr Abaribe said.

The lawmaker further accused Mr Tinubu of favouritism towards the south-west, alleging he disdains the South-East.

Mr Abaribe claimed that Peter Obi would have run Nigeria better than Mr Tinubu if he had won the 2023 presidential election.

“If Peter Obi had won you would probably have seen a better Nigeria than the one you are seeing today. He wouldn’t be as nepotistic as this government. He won’t. It’s not in him. That’s just who we are. We feel for other people.”

The lawmaker lamented the alleged abandonment of the South-East by successive Nigerian leaders, urging members of the region to unite.

“Let us go back to the South-East and revamp it; make it more liveable, more cohesive and better and hold ourselves together.

“Because it’s obvious that if we continue to look at whoever becomes president to look at us and do right, apart from Obasanjo and maybe Jonathan, I don’t think we have seen that same type of president concerned about the development of the region,” added Mr Abaribe.