A coalition of civil society organisations under the umbrella of the Coalition of Civil Society Organisations Against Corruption and Electoral Malpractice (CSOACEM) has announced plans to stage peaceful mass rallies across the South East and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, over concerns surrounding the operations and financial management of the South East Development Commission (SEDC).
The coalition said the demonstrations, scheduled to commence on June 17, 2026, would be aimed at demanding greater transparency, accountability and public disclosure of the Commission’s activities since its establishment.
Addressing journalists on Wednesday, CSOACEM National President, Comrade Uche Onoh, said the South East Development Commission was created to drive development, infrastructure renewal, economic growth and youth empowerment across the five states of the region, but noted that many residents were yet to see evidence of the Commission’s impact.
According to him, recent discussions and reports emerging from the National Assembly concerning the Commission’s expenditures and financial records have further intensified public interest in the agency’s activities.
“The South East people deserve answers.
“They deserve to know what projects have been executed.
“They deserve to know the status of projects approved under the Commission.
“They deserve to know how funds released to the Commission have been utilized.
“They deserve to know why the impact of the Commission is yet to be significantly felt across the region,” Onoh stated.
The coalition expressed concern over what it described as unanswered questions regarding project implementation, expenditure records and the Commission’s operational presence within the South East.
“These questions are legitimate. These questions deserve answers. These questions cannot simply be ignored,” he said.
Onoh disclosed that following consultations with stakeholders across Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo states, the coalition resolved to organise peaceful rallies across the region and Abuja to press home its demands.
“The purpose of these rallies is to demand accountability, transparency and immediate clarification on issues concerning the activities and expenditures of the South East Development Commission.
“Our position is not motivated by politics, personal interests or vendettas.
“Our position is motivated by the desire to ensure that every naira appropriated and released for the development of the South East translates into tangible benefits for the people,” he added.
The coalition also called on the Federal Government to suspend the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Commission, Mr. Mark Okoye, pending the outcome of what it described as an independent investigation into the agency’s finances and project execution records.
“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 said.
He, however, stressed that the demand for suspension should not be interpreted as a declaration of guilt.
“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 aimed at protecting the integrity of any investigation, restoring public confidence and ensuring complete transparency,” he explained.
CSOACEM further demanded an immediate forensic audit of all funds released to the Commission since its inception and called for the publication of all contracts awarded, including details of contractors, contract values, implementation timelines and project status.
The group also urged the Commission to provide full disclosure of its expenditures and strengthen its operational structures within the South East to improve accessibility and accountability.
In addition, the coalition appealed to the National Assembly and anti-corruption agencies to undertake a comprehensive review of the Commission’s activities and make the findings public.
“The people of the South East have waited for too long for meaningful intervention and development.
“They cannot afford another institution that consumes public funds without corresponding and visible benefits to the people,” Onoh said.
While assuring that the planned rallies would be peaceful and conducted within the law, the coalition called on security agencies to ensure adequate protection for participants exercising their constitutional rights.
“The South East deserves development.
“The South East deserves accountability.
“The South East deserves transparency.
“The South East deserves results,” the CSOACEM president declared.
He added that the protests would continue until what he described as satisfactory explanations and appropriate actions are provided by the relevant authorities.