• ‘Why Enugu North is not excited about list’

The Chidi Ibeh-led faction of Ohanaeze Ndigbo has applauded the appointment of David Umahi and others as ministers, noting that Umahi’s appointment will be President Bola Tinubu’s strategic move to reposition South East, collapsing opposition in the zone.

In a statement in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State capital, the Secretary General of the Ohanaeze faction, Okechukwu Isiguzoro, described Umahi’s appointment as a good choice to win support from the region. He added that Umahi’s track records on infrastructural development in the state as governor will be replicated on a national scale if he is given the Ministry of Works or Transport.

He thanked Tinubu for having faith in the former governor, who is now Senator representing Ebonyi South, maintaining that Ohanaeze is very optimistic that Umahi will not fail.

Menwhile, the people of Enugu North Senatorial zone have expressed disappointment with the ministerial list, which was released, yesterday, by the President.

The list, which had been a subject of speculation in the last one month, dashed Enugu North’s hope of producing a minister since the return of democracy in 1999.

According to the list, the only ministerial slot meant for Enugu State was awarded to Uche Nnaji, the 2023 governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, who hails from Enugu East.

It was gathered that the last time Enugu North, which prides itself as the most populous in the state, produced a minister was 25 years ago. It was during the brief administration of Gen. Abdulsalam Abubakar in 1998. It was further learnt that one of its own, former President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Nnia Nwodo, was nominated as Minister of Information and Culture. Nwodo had earlier served as Minister of Aviation during the administration of Shehu Shagari.

However, since 1999, ministers appointed from the state had come from Enugu East and West zones, leaving out North.

The Guardian learnt that during the Olusegun Obasanjo administration, Dubem Onyi, Barth Nnaji and Frank Nweke jnr., who were appointed ministers came from Enugu East.

During the administration of the late President Umar Musa Yar’Adua, such names as Fidelia Njeze and Chinedu Nebo came from Enugu West. Under the immediate past administration of Muhammadu Buhari, the only minister from the state, Geoffery Onyeama, also came from the West.

As such, the people of Enugu North (Nsukka) had expected that they should be allowed to produce the minister in the current Tinubu administration.