Gbagyis raise alarm over marginalization in Niger
Saka Bolaji, Minna
A pan- Gbagyi socio- cultural organization under the auspices of Gbegnu Boknu Yakwo Association in Niger state has raised alarm of marginalization in the recent appointments made by Governor Abubakar Sani- Bello.
The association made the allegation in a statement in Minna and signed by its President, Comrade Danjuma Paiko and Secretary, Comrade Bello Tsoho respectively.
The body is demanding to know why the Gbagyi ethnic group was alienated in the key appointments made so far in the state, adding that the marginalization of the Gbagyi speaking people is humiliating and unacceptable.
They charged the governor to do the needful, balance the appointments and spread necessary slots across board without delay as the people of zone b, particularly the Gbagyi speaking area awaits prompt action by the governor.
The association disclosed that it had earlier written an open letter dated June 18, containing details of their complaints to the state governor, warning that failure to act promptly on their demands will be interpreted as a deliberate plan to discriminate against the Gbagyis in the sharing of political offices.
“As a result of the zero tolerance to faults and humiliations over the years, we are able to co-exist and flow with people of diverse ethnic groups within our locations particularly, Minna the state capital,” the association said.
It condemned the lip service by government to the security situation in Gbagyi dominated areas, adding that priority must be accorded to the Gbagyis in the filing ministerial and other federal government appointments.
It demanded for the declaration of a state of emergency based on the security situation in Niger East Senatorial District, particularly, Gbagyi dominated settlements that are mostly victims of deadly attacks and urged the governor to use his good offices and goodwill to reflect Gbagyi speaking group in his key appointments.
