Marginalisation, Nsukka Demand Ministerial Slot from Buhari
The Nsukka Platform Asaba, a socio-cultural organisation, has appealed to the President-elect, Gen. MuhammaduBuhari, to appoint an indigene of Nsukka to represent Enugu State in his cabinet when he assumes office come May 29.
According to them, they have been so marginalised that since the country returned to democracy in 1999, no person from Nsukka has been appointed a minister.
Consequently, The group of professionals resident in Asaba said in a statement in Asaba that Nsukka area, the Enugu North senatorial zone should produce a minister in the incoming administration.
The group lamented their marginalisation in the state insisting the area had not produced a minister since the country’s return to democracy in 1999.
The statement signed by the Chairman of the organisation and Secretary, Dr Pius Ike and Dr Leo Abonyi respectively said the five ministers appointed from the state since 1999 hailed from Enugu East and Enugu West senatorial zones.
“It is on record that since 1999 when the country returned to civilian rule, the people of Nsukka in Enugu State have not produced a single minister.
“All the ministers appointed from the state by the past administrations and the present one hail from Enugu East and Enugu West senatorial zones,’’ it said.
It listed the ministers as Chief Frank Nweke Jnr. and Prof. Bath Nnaji from Enugu East and Chief DubemOnyia, MrsFideliaNjeze and Prof. Chinedu Nebo from Enugu West.
It noted that the constitution provided that every state in the federation was entitled to a ministerial slot in reflection of the federal character principle.
“It then becomes imperative that Buhari should endeavour to uphold this constitutional provision in choosing ministers from every state, while insisting on credibility and competence”, it added.
The Forum also commended the president-elect for insisting on appointing loyal APC members with technical competence and integrity into his cabinet, noting that the disposition of the president-elect showed that he was determined to bring about the much-desired sanity and change in governance in the country.
It said that Buhari’s pronouncement had given Nigerians hope that he was poised to fulfill his promise of fighting corruption.
“It is expected that the APC government should ensure that every part of a given state is given a sense of belonging in ministerial appointments,” the group said.
The association further condemned the reported physical attack on the APC gubernatorial candidate in the last general election in Enugu State, MrOkeyEzea, by another chieftain of the party.
It recalled media reports had the APC National Vice Chairman for the South-East, Chief Emma Enukwu, attacked the candidate at the party’s meeting in Abuja two weeks ago.
Ezea, who hails from Nsukka, was reportedly attacked when he demanded that the zone be allowed to produce the next minister for the state to ensure equity. (NAN)
