The leading pan-Igbo socio-political organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has chided President Bola Tinubu over five ministerial slots allocated to the South-East in his nomination list. Ohanaeze Ndigbo, in a statement by the President General, Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, protested that the five ministerial slots for the southeast is “unfair and unjust”.
Ohanaeze, noting that the Igbo did not play notable part in the process of state creation by the military administrations, complained that the southeast is shortchanged with five states created in the zone as other zones have a minimum of six states, each.
Ohanaeze, in the statement declared: “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.
The group lamented that the five states limitation has caused the southeast lack of opportunities for equal representation, leading to having fewer governess, senators, house of representative members, state assembly members and others.
“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.”