A socio-cultural organization of young Igbo intellectuals, Ochie Igbo has condemned the planned construction of a rail line linking Daura in Katsina State, Nigeria to Maradi in the neighbouring Niger Republic when the rail lines in the old Eastern State remain dilapidated..

In a communiqué released on Monday and signed by its National President and Secretary, Dr. Chukwuma Orji and Theophilus Nwoba respectively, the group wondered why President Muhammadu Buhari was trying to alter the national transportation master plan.

“We have not ceased to wonder why President Muhammadu Buhari gave prompt approval for the alteration of the national transportation master plan to include the construction of a rail line linking Daura and Maradi in Niger Republic while the seaports and rail lines in the old Eastern Region remaining dilapidated and disused.”

The group also chided the South-Eastern chieftains of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) for endorsing President Buhari for a second term in office despite the rising level of insecurity, wanton killings and destruction of property across the country.

The leadership of Ochie Igbo further expressed utmost disappointment that the endorsement came at a time of great national grief, adding that sadly President Buhari has not condemned in strong terms or shown sentimental detachment from the bloodletting and mayhem being unleashed by suspected Fulani herdsmen.

The group was of the opinion that the sycophantic endorsement and plea for President Buhari to support an Igbo presidency in 2023 does not represent the position of the Igbo as according to them, the President, going by his words and actions does not hold good prospects for the South-East geo-political zone.