‘This Is Unfair’ – Ohanaeze Rejects Five South East Ministerial Nominees

The apex Igbo socio-political organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, has asked President Bola Tinubu to rectify the marginalisation of the South East in his list of ministerial nominees.

The President-General of the organisation, Dr Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, made this known in a statement on Thursday issued by the National Publicity Secretary, Dr Alex Ogbonnia.

Recall that the Senate screened 48 ministerial nominees, including five from the South East namely Nkiru Onyejiocha (Abia), Uju Ohaneye (Anambra), Dave Umahi (Ebonyi), Uche Nnaji (Enugu) and Doris Uzoka (Imo).

According to Ohanaeze, the decision of President Tinubu to choose five ministerial nominees from the South-East was unfair and unjust to the region while other regions had nine or ten nominees.

Ohanaeze said the fact that the South East has only five states as created by the past military regimes has shortchanged the people of the region in the scheme of things and power play.

The group, however, appealed to President Tinubu to help the region to remedy the situation and restore justice, equity, and fairness in the country.

The statement reads, “The Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide is disturbed over the current appointment of ministers in Nigeria by His Excellency Mr. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR. In the appointment, the South East has only five ministers while some other zones have nine (9) and even ten (10) ministers.

“The Ohanaeze Ndigbo feels that it is unfair and unjust. The Ohanaeze Ndigbo believes in one united Nigeria and this can only be achieved in an atmosphere of fairness, justice, and equity. We, therefore, demand justice, fairness, and equity for every ethnic group in Nigeria, including the Igbo.

“Recall that the military administrations created the states and geopolitical zones. 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. In federal revenue allocation, the South East is denied the revenue that comes on the basis of states. In federal board appointments and other resource distributions, we are 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.”