Ministerial nomination as litmus test for APC in Southeast

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By: Peace Adisa

Ministerial nomination as litmus test for APC in Southeast

President Bola Tinubu’s ministerial nomination, which allocated only five slots to the Southeast region, has reignited concerns over agitations and perceived marginalization against the Ndigbo.

Upon assuming office on May 29, President Bola Tinubu’s choice to appoint fresh service chiefs with better national representation initially instilled hope. Rear Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla from Enugu State was appointed Chief of Naval Staff, which was embraced by the Southeast as it addressed the lack of representation in the Security Council.

Former President Muhammadu Buhari, during his eight-year tenure, had never considered appointing anyone from the Southeast for service chief roles.

Although Tinubu was commended for geographical inclusivity in his service chiefs’ appointments, his cabinet list of 48 members, which allotted just five slots to the Southeast, has raised concerns about his commitment to fairness, equity, and national unity. It has also cast doubt on his intentions to strengthen the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the Southeast.

Comparing the president’s cabinet composition, each state in the Southeast received five nominees (Imo, Abia, Ebonyi, Enugu, and Anambra), whereas other geopolitical zones secured no less than eight nominees each. Northwest received ten (three extra ministers), Northeast and North-central each had eight (two extra ministers), Southwest had nine (two extra ministers), and South-south had eight (two extra ministers). In contrast, the Southeast only received five ministers, without any extras.

This development prompted Southeast senators to voice their concerns in the National Assembly. They criticized the nomination for violating the Federal Character Commission Act and not promoting national unity as stipulated in the Constitution.

Senator Tony Nwoye, representing Anambra north, cited the need for equitable representation across states and regions in the government. Chief Goddy Uwazuruike, President Emeritus of Aka Ikenga, expressed sadness over the situation, emphasizing the importance of uniting the country.

Chief Chekwas Okorie, an Igbo leader, stressed that appointing no ministers from the Southeast sends negative signals about the president’s commitment to inclusivity and correcting past mistakes.

Some analysts attributed the Southeast’s marginalization to its lack of significant support for the APC since 2015. They pointed out that the region’s limited votes in previous elections contributed to its continued exclusion.

While Osita Okechukwu absolved Tinubu of blame, he urged Southeast APC leaders to take responsibility for their role in the region’s marginalization.

Dr. Cajetan Anyanwu cautioned that the president’s ministerial nomination echoes Buhari’s divisive “winner takes all” approach, which could perpetuate disunity and mediocrity. He emphasized the need for national cohesion and urged Tinubu to heal historical wounds of injustice and deprivation.

Anyanwu argued that Tinubu’s actions could hinder APC’s progress in the Southeast, given the party’s poor performance in the 2023 elections, which he attributed to Buhari’s neglect of the region.