Ministerial appointment: Ohanaeze demands justice, fairness, equity

Cosmas Chukwu, Enugu

Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide has expressed concern over the recent appointment of ministers by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Recall that only five nominees from the South East region made the list of 48-member proposed cabinet.
The remaining 43 nominees were drawn from the other five geo-political zones in the country.
However in a statement by Chief Dr. Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, the President-General of Ohanaeze, who personally signed the statement which Dr Chiedozie Alex Ogbonnia made a available to newsmen, Ndigbo expressed disappointment over the appointments which disfavored the South East.
The statement read:
“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 states and geo-political 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 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 Nigerian nation to peace, happiness and prosperity for all Nigerians irrespective of ethnicity, creed and political persuasion”.