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The people of Enugu North Senatorial Zone, popularly known as Nsukka, have cried out over what they described as 26 years of exclusion from ministerial and key federal appointments.
They are now pleading with President Bola Tinubu to end what they termed a long-standing injustice and appoint a qualified indigene of the zone into the Federal Executive Council.
The call was made by a group known as Enugu North APC Frontiers, following the resignation of the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Chief Uche Nnaji.
In a letter to the President, jointly signed by Ejikeme Ugwu, National Convener, and Sydney Eze, National Secretary of the group, the APC Frontiers lamented that since the return of democracy in 1999, Enugu North has never produced a minister.
“The essence of this letter is to draw your attention to the long-standing cry of the people of Enugu North Senatorial Zone, comprising over 52 percent of Enugu State’s population, over the non-appointment of any of their indigenes into the Federal Executive Council since 1999,” the group stated.
According to data provided by the group, Enugu West has produced four ministers since 1999, Enugu East three, while Enugu North has not produced any.
Describing the development as a clear manifestation of marginalisation and lack of fairness, the group urged President Tinubu to ensure equity by giving the zone a sense of belonging in his administration.
“In the spirit of fairness and equity, we, from Enugu North, one of the three senatorial districts of Enugu State, plead to be included in the leadership structure at the federal level. We seek the opportunity to serve, for the first time, as a minister in the Federal Executive Council,” the statement added.
The group also highlighted that between 2015 and 2023, no person from Enugu North served in any major executive capacity, except General Eze, who was an ambassador, and the late Senator Ayogu Eze, who was appointed a commissioner at the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) in May 2023.
They further presented statistics showing that, from 2015 to date, Enugu West has produced 22 executive or chairperson positions, Enugu East 10, while Enugu North also had 10, coming last in the distribution.
Appealing for inclusiveness, the group emphasised that Enugu North is endowed with competent professionals, technocrats and honest individuals, who can contribute meaningfully to the success of President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
“Our people have borne this deprivation with patience and dignity. We are accommodating, peaceful and progressive. We, therefore, urge you, Mr. President, to break this jinx and renew the hope of our people by appointing one of our qualified indigenes to represent Enugu State in your cabinet,” they appealed.
The group assured the President of the unwavering support of the people of Enugu North, pledging to deliver massive votes for the APC in the 2027 general elections.
