Ministerial appointment: Nsukka Cultural zone rues 26 years of neglect

….appeals to President Tinubu

From Maurice Okafor, Enugu

The people of Enugu North Senatorial Zone in Enugu State, popularly referred as Nsukka Cultural zone have decried the marginalization of the area in ministerial and other federal appointments for the past 26 years.

They are now begging President Bola Tinubu to address the perceived injustice and neglect.

A group within the All Progressives Congress, APC, Enugu North APC Frontiers made the plea following the resignation of the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Chief Uche Nnaji.

The request was contained in a letter to the President, signed by Barr Ejikeme Ugwu, National Convener, Enugu North APC Frontiers and Sydney Eze, the National Secretary.

The group, which chronicled the various appointments given to Enugu State, lamented that nobody from Enugu North senatorial zone has been made a minister from 1999 till date.

It said the essence of the letter was to bring the President’s attention to the long cry of the good people of Enugu North senatorial zone “consisting of over fifty two percent (52%) of the entire population of Enugu State, over the non-appointment of our indigene into the Federal Executive Council since 1999 to date, i.e., since this democratic dispensation.”

In the data provided by the group, Enugu West has had four ministerial slots, Enugu East had three, whereas Enugu North is yet to produce a minister of the federal republic since 1999.

“This is a clear manifestation of marginalization and lack of fairness and justice in Enugu State since this democratic era.

“Your Excellency, in furtherance to fairness and equity in Enugu State, we from Enugu North senatorial zone as one of the three Senatorial Districts of Enugu State, and over half the population of the state, are asking for inclusiveness to also have the opportunity to serve for the first time as a Minister in the Federal Executive Council and other executive leadership positions at the federal level.

“Your Excellency, Sir, it is of note as well that between 2015 and 2023, it is on record that no person from Enugu North Senatorial Zone served in executive capacity save General Eze who was ambassador and late Senator Ayogu Eze who was appointed commissioner RAMFAC May 2023,” it further stated.

The APC group also provided a summary of chairperson and executive positions per Senatorial zone from 2015 to date, which showed that Enugu West district had 22, Enugu East district 10, whereas Enugu North came last with 10.

It told the President that Enugu North senatorial district is blessed with hardworking population, honest and God-fearing people. We have an abundance of talents, professionals and technocrats within the Senatorial District, most of whom have distinguished themselves in various fields of life that can be appointed as ministers, heads of various boards and parastatals to help drive the Renewed Hope Agenda.

“We are confident that such persons will discharge their duties unblemished.

“We can safely assert, Sir, that Enugu North district having nurtured the APC in Enugu State so far, with her large population, can produce for the State, someone with passion to propel and build a strong and virile party in the state.

“Your Excellency, our people have borne the grief of marginalization and deprivation with dignified patience and non-violent candor which go a long way to showcase that we are accommodating, patient and progressive.

“Your Excellency, we respectfully pray that you consider and appoint one of our eminently qualified indigenes to represent Enugu state in the Federal Executive Council and therefore break this jinx and Renew the Hope of the good people of Enugu North district as history beckons on you.

“Please sir, do consider other qualified and eminent Enugu North indigenes to serve in other capacities in your government,” they begged the President.

It assured the President of unflinching support and made a firm promise “that our people will give you and our great party the highest votes come 2027.”