By Kamil Opeyemi
The apex Igbo socio-political organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has decried President Bola Tinubu’s nomination of only five ministers from the South-East, describing it as “unfair and unjust”.
The group expressed their displeasure in a statement signed by its President General, Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, on Thursday.
Ohanaeze recalled that the states and geopolitical zones were created by the military administrations, saying Igbos did not play much part in the process.
It noted that the South-East is shortchanged by the fact it has only five states while other geopolitical zones have a minimum of six.
President Tinubu had about two weeks ago nominated 48 candidates for ministerial positions and they have all been screened by the Senate.
The five nominees from the South-East include Nkiru Onyejiocha (Abia), Uju Ohaneye (Anambra), Dave Umahi (Ebonyi), Uche Nnaji (Enugu) and Doris Uzoka (Imo).
However, in its reaction, Ohanaeze said they were disturbed over the current appointment of ministers in Nigeria by the president, in which South-East had only five ministers while other zones had nine and even 10 ministers.
According to Iwuanyanwu, Ohanaeze Ndigbo feels that it is unfair and unjust as they believe in one united Nigeria which can only be achieved in an atmosphere of “fairness, justice and equity”.
“Recall that the states and geopolitical zones were created by the military administrations. All honest Nigerians know that the Igbo did not play much part during this exercise.
“As a result, the South East was shortchanged with five (5) states while other zones have a minimum of six (6) states. This situation has placed the South East in a very difficult position, politically, economically, and socially.
“Our political power has been reduced as we have a few senators and also in the House of Representatives; governors, house of assembly and local governments,” he said
The president general added that in federal revenue allocation, the region was denied the revenue that came on the basis of states as well as federal board appointments and other resource distributions which they were strategically shortchanged.
“We wish to observe that this situation was not caused by the current administration but we however appeal to His Excellency, Mr. Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR to help us remedy the situation and restore justice, equity and fairness in Nigeria.
“We pray the Almighty to bless and prosper our country, Nigeria and give our leaders the wisdom and knowledge to steer the ship of the Nigerian nation to peace, happiness and prosperity for all Nigerians irrespective of ethnicity, creed and political persuasion,” he added