Southerners are marginalised by Buhari, say Yoruba elders

Some Yoruba elders on Tuesday rose from a meeting in Ibadan, Oyo State capital accusing President Muhammadu Buhari of favouring the northern part of the country above others.

The elders under the aegis of the Yoruba Unity Forum (YUF) at a press conference in Ibadan, addressed by Rt. Rev. Emmanuel Bolanle Gbonigi, assessed the administration of Buhari and concluded that he has not been fair to the south.

The cleric, among others accused Buhari of executing policies “clearly designed to favour a particular ethnic group which also happens to be his ethnic group.

“A glance at the table showing key appointments made so far underscores the extent of the marginalisation of the south. The summary of appointment shows that the North West which is the president’s zone has 26 positions or 44 per cent of all appointments he made so far, North East has nine positions or 15 percent, North Central has six positions or 10 percent, South West has seven positions or 11. 8 percent, South South has eight positions or 13.56 percent and the South East three positions or five percent.

“This brings the total for the North to 41 positions or 69.5 percent while the South is left with 18 positions or 30.5 percent.’’

The position and lamentations of these elders is not new, since Nigerians have always seen being in government especially at the national level as avenue for personal enrichment. That is why people can do anything to get into government.

Even though the elders were from the Southwest zone, their major agitation was that the Southerners are marginalised in Buhari’s appointments.

Why the whole southerners now unlike during the immediate past administration of President Goodluck Jonathan when the agitation was that the Southwest zone was marginalised in the appointments? Was it because the Southwest zone got the major appointments and elective positions in the present government? Why the emphasis on appointments instead of infrastructural development in the Southern region? What about the 2016 budgetary allocations to the Southern region?

It will be recalled that before now, the Southerners have occupied prominent positions in the government of the country including the presidency. The question has been and will always be, how has and did their occupation of such positions brought massive infrastructural development and human empowerment to the region? Even in the Northern region with all their years in country’s leadership, nothing much has changed for better in the region.

One clear thing is that majority of those who had opportunity to be elected or appointed into government offices have feathered their nests and that of their relations, cronies to the detriment of other Nigerians.

Just like the great literary icon, late Prof. Chinua Achebe titled one of his books some decades ago: “The problem with Nigeria is leadership.” Many believe that the country’s problem is neither appointment nor restructuring, but right leadership. So glaring is the fact that at all levels of governance in the country good leadership is lacking, the same with followership.

Recovered Loots: FG Releases Interim Report

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