PUNCH
The Ohanaeze Ndigbo socio-cultural organisation has expressed dissatisfaction at the five ministerial slots allotted to the South-East region by President Bola Tinubu.
The President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, said the number was unfair and unjust.
In a statement on Thursday, Iwuanyanwu said the South-East was shortchanged with five states while other zones have a minimum of six states.
According to Iwuanyanwu, who demanded justice and fairness, the situation had placed the South-East in a very difficult position, politically, economically, and socially.
The statement read, “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.
“As a result, the South-East was shortchanged with five states while other zones have a minimum of six 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, to help us remedy the situation and restore justice, equity and fairness in Nigeria.”
