The main Igbo socio-cultural organisation, ohanaeze ndigbohas said the group is concerned by President Bola Tinubu’s appointment of only five people from the southeast as ministers, while other regions had nine ministers.
In a statement this Thursday from its general president, Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, the group demanded the appointment of more ministers from the Southeast region to correct the alleged marginalization of the region in ministerial appointments.
“Ohanaeze Ndigbo feels that it is unfair and unfair. Ohanaeze Ndigbo believes in a united Nigeria and this can only be achieved in an atmosphere of fairness, fairness and fairness.
“Therefore, we demand justice, fairness and equity for all ethnic groups in Nigeria, including the Igbo,” the statement read in part.
President Tinubu put forward a total of 48 ministerial candidates and most of them were confirmed by the members of the Nigerian Senate.
ALSO READ: Group files lawsuit to stop the appointment of new judges to the Court of Appeals
The Southeast region has the fewest nominees with five people on the list.
The five ministerial candidates from the region are David Umahi (Ebonyi), Uju Kennedy Ohaneye (Anambra), Nkiru Onyejiocha (Abia), Uche Nnaji (Enugu) and Doris Uzoka (Imo).
Newslodge previously reported that some senators from the southeast last week demanded the appointment of two additional ministers from the region to ensure fairness and justice in the representation of all geopolitical zones in Mr. Tinubu’s government.
One of the senators, Tony Nwoye (Labor Party – Anambra North), stressed that the under-representation of the South East in the government of Mr Tinubu does not promote national unity and national loyalty as enshrined in section 14 (3 ) of the law of 1999. amended constitution.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio later promised that Senate leaders would meet Mr. Tinubu very soon to raise the matter with him.
More areas of marginalization
Ohanaeze argued that beyond the recent ministerial appointments, the South East has continued to suffer from marginalization in various areas since the creation of states in Nigeria.
The group said that the creation of states in the country was led by successive military governments and that the southeast was let down because it did not “play much” in the exercise.
“As a result, the Southeast came up short with five states, while other areas have a minimum of six states. This situation has placed the Southeast in a very difficult position, politically, economically and socially,” the group stated.
He added that the situation also resulted in a reduction in the number of senators, members of the federal and state assembly chambers, governors, and local government areas.
“In federal revenue allocation, the Southeast is denied revenue that comes from the states. On federal board appointments and other resource allocations, we are strategically shortchanged,” Ohanaeze added.
The group pointed out that the alleged marginalization of the southeast was not caused by Tinubu since it began long before he became president of the country.
“However, we appeal to Bola Ahmed Tinubu to help us remedy the situation and restore justice, fairness and equity in Nigeria,” he stated.
Read More Related News Here
Let hear it in the comment below if you do have an opinion on this; Ohanaeze wants more ministers for the southeast