President Bola Tinubu’s choice of only five ministers from the South-East has been criticized as “unfair and unjust” by the leading Igbo sociopolitical organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo.
The group released a statement on Thursday that was signed by its president general, Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, expressing their disappointment.
Ohanaeze noted that the military governments were responsible for establishing the states and geopolitical regions, and that Igbos had little influence over this process.
It stated that the South-East is underserved since it only has five states, when other geopolitical regions have at least six.
The Senate has reviewed each of the 48 ministerial nominees that President Tinubu nominated. Nkiru Onyejiocha (Abia), Uju Ohaneye (Anambra), Dave Umahi (Ebonyi), Uche Nnaji (Enugu), and Doris Uzoka (Imo) are the five nominees from the South-East.
“Justice, fairness, and equity for every ethnic group in Nigeria, including the Igbo,” is what Ohanaeze is currently requesting.
“The 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.
“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.”