The people of Enugu North Senatorial Zone in Enugu State (Nsukka Zone) have asked President Bola Tinubu to intervene in the alleged marginalisation of the area in ministerial and other federal appointments.

They stated that the zone remains the only one without a ministerial appointment in Enugu State in the last 26 years, urging the President to address the perceived injustice and neglect.

The appeal was contained in a statement by a group within the All Progressives Congress (APC), known as Enugu North APC Frontiers. It followed the resignation of the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Chief Uche Nnaji.

The request signed by the National Convener, Ejikeme Ugwu, and National Secretary, Sydney Eze, chronicled the various appointments given to Enugu State, but lamented that nobody from Enugu North had been made a Minister from 1999 till date.

It said the essence of the letter was to bring the President’s attention to the long cry of the good people of Enugu North senatorial zone “consisting of over 52 per cent 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 four ministerial slots, Enugu East has had three, while Enugu North has yet to produce a minister since 1999.

“This is a clear manifestation of marginalisation 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, 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 group stated that Enugu North is blessed with hardworking, honest and God-fearing people. The group added: “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 marginalisation 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.”

The group assured the President of its unflinching support, promising that “our people will give you and our great party the highest votes come 2027.”