Chinenye Anuforo
A group, under the aegis of the Ukwa Consultative Assembly, has cried out against the political marginalisation of the Ukwa Community, in Abia State.
The group, which made the disclosure, yesterday, at a meeting held at Obohia, Ukwa East, Abia State, urged President Muhammadu Buhari to look into the community’s direction as regards federal appointments and other dividends of democracy, which include social infrastructures.
Convener of the assembly, Dr. Babantah Cyril Babantah, noted that over the years, the people of Ukwa land have been releglected to the background, notwithstanding their major economic contribution to the state and the nation in general.
Babantah said Ukwa is the only oil producing area in the state, but has nothing to show for it, adding that the peaceful disposition of the community has been taken for granted by the state since its creation.
“A case in point is the just concluded national elections, where our Ngwa neighbours employed all dubious means to occupy both the Senate and governorship positions. This is, indeed, the height of marginalisation and should be condemned by any egalitarian society.
The truth is that we have lost hope in Abia State, but strongly believe in the straightforwardness of president Buhari to come to our rescue, as it is obvious that Ngwa people and Abia State is on a mission to move Ukwa land to political extinction, which will definitely not be successful,” he said.
According to him, the Ukwa people are resolute to a united and indivisible Nigeria, and hope their indigenes should be considered “by our brave president in his new cabinet as ministers and heads of government agencies, since we have highly qualified people for such positins.”
Also speaking, a member of the assembly, ThankGod Ntaku said: “As an illustrious son of Ukwa land, and also an ardent supporter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) government, I strongly believe president Buhari will listen to our plight and bring succour to Ukwa people, as he forms the new government that we all worked for.
“It is expected that every democratically elected government should be all inclusive and people-oriented. But, over the years in Nigeria, the people of Ukwa land in Abia State have been relegated to the background, notwithstanding their major economic contributions to the state and the nation.