The apex Igbo socio-political organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, has raised concerns over the perceived marginalization of the South East region in the recent ministerial appointments made by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. In a strongly worded statement, the organization expressed its disappointment and called for rectification of what it termed an unfair and unjust allocation of ministerial slots.
Ohanaeze Ndigbo drew attention to the fact that out of the 48 ministerial nominees recently screened by the Senate, only five hailed from the South East. This stands in stark contrast to other regions of the country which received a larger share of ministerial appointments, some even having as many as nine or ten nominees. Dr. Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, voiced the organization’s discontent, emphasizing that such a disproportionate representation was detrimental to the region’s political, economic, and social well-being.
The organization invoked the history of the South East’s political marginalization, tracing it back to the era of military administrations which led to the creation of states and geopolitical zones. Ohanaeze highlighted that the South East was allotted only five states in comparison to the minimum of six states received by other zones. This historical disadvantage, as the statement points out, has persisted and led to an imbalance in political power, revenue allocation, federal board appointments, and resource distribution.
While acknowledging that the current administration may not be the sole cause of this inequality, Ohanaeze called upon President Tinubu to take action to rectify the situation. The organization appealed for restoration of justice, equity, and fairness, emphasizing that unity in Nigeria can only be achieved when every ethnic group is treated fairly.
As the South East’s representation in key political positions remains a contentious issue, Ohanaeze Ndigbo’s statement highlights the underlying tensions surrounding regional representation and power dynamics within Nigeria. The appeal to President Tinubu to address these concerns underscores the organization’s commitment to a united Nigeria founded on principles of fairness and justice.
