South East Coalition Demands Suspension of SEDC Boss, Plans June 17 Protest

A coalition of civil society organisations under the platform of the Coalition of Civil Society Organisations Against Corruption and Electoral Malpractice (CSOACEM) has called for the immediate suspension of the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the South East Development Commission (SEDC), Mr Mark Okoye.

The group also announced plans to stage coordinated protests across the South East and Abuja on June 17, 2026.

The coalition said the planned demonstrations are aimed at pressing for transparency, accountability and a full public disclosure of the Commission’s financial records and project execution since its establishment.

Addressing journalists on Wednesday, CSOACEM National President, Comrade Uche Onoh, said the SEDC was created to drive development, infrastructure renewal and economic empowerment in the South East, but argued that its impact on the region remained largely unnoticeable.

He said recent public discussions and legislative scrutiny at the National Assembly concerning the Commission’s expenditures had further intensified demands for accountability.

“The South East people deserve answers. They deserve to know what projects have been executed. They deserve to know the status of approved projects. They deserve to know how funds released to the Commission have been utilised,” Onoh said.

According to him, the coalition’s concerns stem from unresolved questions surrounding project delivery, financial management and the operational presence of the Commission across the five South East states.

“These questions are legitimate. These questions deserve answers. These questions cannot be ignored,” he added.

Onoh disclosed that the decision to embark on the rallies followed consultations with stakeholders across Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo states, as well as the Federal Capital Territory.

He said the protests would be peaceful and strictly focused on accountability and governance reforms, stressing that they were not politically motivated.

“Our position is not driven by politics, personal interests or vendettas. It is driven by the desire to ensure that every naira released for the development of the South East translates into visible benefits for the people,” he said.

The coalition specifically demanded that the Federal Government suspend the SEDC Managing Director, Mr. Mark Okoye, pending the outcome of an independent investigation into the Commission’s financial records and project implementation.

“Consequently, we hereby call on the Federal Government to immediately suspend the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the South East Development Commission, Mr. Mark Okoye, pending the conclusion of an independent investigation into the finances, expenditures and project implementation records of the Commission,” Onoh stated.

He, however, clarified that the call for suspension should not be interpreted as an allegation of guilt, but rather a procedural step to ensure an impartial investigation.

“We wish to state clearly that this call for suspension should not be interpreted as a declaration of guilt. Rather, it is a necessary administrative measure to protect the integrity of the investigation and restore public confidence,” he explained.

CSOACEM also demanded a forensic audit of all funds released to the Commission since inception, alongside full disclosure of contracts awarded, including contractor details, project timelines and implementation status.

The coalition further urged the Commission to publish detailed expenditure reports and strengthen its operational footprint across the South East to enhance public trust and accessibility.

It also called on the National Assembly and anti-corruption agencies to carry out a comprehensive review of the Commission’s activities and ensure the findings are made public.

“The people of the South East have waited too long for meaningful development. They cannot afford another institution that consumes public funds without visible impact,” Onoh said.

He assured that the planned June 17 rallies would be peaceful and conducted within the law, while calling on security agencies to provide adequate protection for participants.

“The South East deserves development. The South East deserves accountability. The South East deserves transparency. The South East deserves results,” he added, insisting that the protests would continue until their demands are addressed.