A group within the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Enugu State, Enugu North APC Frontiers, has pleaded with President Bola Tinubu to consider the Enugu North Senatorial Zone in the search for replacement of resigned minister, Uche Nnaji.
NATIONAL POST recalls that Nnaji, resigned from his position as Minister of Innovation, Science and Technologu, last week over alleged certificate forgery.
Enugu North APC Frontiers is now urging President Tinubu to pick someone from the area as Nnaji’s replacement.
The request was contained in a letter to the President, signed by Barr Ejikeme Ugwu, National Convener, Enugu North APC Frontiers and Sydney Eze, National Secretary.
The group, which chronicled the various appointments given to Enugu State, lamented that nobody from Enugu North had been made a minister from 1999 till date.
It said the essence of the letter was 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 4 ministerial slots, Enugu East- 3, whereas Enugu North has yet to produce a minister 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, 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 has had 22, Enugu East- 10, whereas Enugu North came last with 10.
It told the President that Enugu North is blessed with a 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, 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, as history beckons you.
“Please sir, do consider other qualified and eminent Enugu North indigenes to serve in other capacities in your government,” they bagged 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.”
