Coalition decries marginalization of Enugu North in ministerial appointments

A coalition of youth groups under the auspices of Nsukka Youth Forum has decried what it termed calculated attempts to keep on relegating the Enugu North geopolitical zone of Enugu state to the background in the area of ministerial appointments and other key positions at the federal level.

The group frowned at the marginalisation of the zone in ministerial appointments since the advent of democracy in 1999 and noted that out of the six ministers so far appointed from the state within the period under review, none was from the zone.

The coalition in a statement in Abuja Tuesday signed by one of its conveners, Ochiaka Ugwu lamented that none of the Presidents since 1999 has never deemed it necessary to appoint an Enugu North man or woman as a minister even when the area boasts of men and women of proven integrity and intellectual capacity who were more than qualified to occupy the exalted position.

Continuing, the statement noted that all the ministers appointed since 1999 from Enugu State, beginning from Chief Dubem Onyia, Mr. Frank Nweke Jr, Mrs. Fidelia Njeze, Prof. Bartholomew Nnaji, Prof. Chinedu Nebo and now Mr. Geoffrey Onyeama were from Enugu-East and Enugu-West zones leaving Enugu North in the cold.

The group wondered why Enugu North should be treated with contempt and disdain stating that people from the zone had all it takes to deliver the goods if appointed.

Coalition informed that what is good for the Gander was also good for the Geese, stating that for equity sake Enugu North should be appointed minister having shown enough interest in the position.

Describing the situation as unfair, it appealed to the president-elect, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, to save Enugu North from political extinction and irrelevant  by considering the zone when going round to scout for persons of proven integrity and capacity that will be appointed as ministers.

According to the statement, “The facts on how Enugu North Senatorial zone suffers negligence since 1999 to date on the ministerial slot as well as the lopsidedness in the appointment of key positions at the federal level is a matter of concern to the people of the zone in particular and people of good conscience in general.

”The incessant neglect of the zone by the government at the centre has been bothering us for many years and most especially in the recent past as the zone is known to be the political heartbeat of the state.

“Though it may look as if we have been quietly watching this injustice and have come in terms with it, it is because we lack a convenient platform and opportunity to express our long-standing grievances to relevant authorities and the general public as well.”

The group while calling on the national leadership of the APC to cede the Enugu State Ministerial slot to Enugu North announced their plan to address a World Press Conference within few days to advance their course.