Governor Nwifuru (file photo)
‘In fact, we are minded to believe that our deliberate exclusion is not only a premeditated apartheid policy, but also forebodes a dark and dreary future for our people who will neither have a voice in matters of grave existential reality to us’
By Valentine Amanze
The Orring people of Ebonyi State have raised alarm, alleging non-inclussion in the Governor Francis Nwifuru-led administration in the state.
The Orring speaking people include, the Effium in Ohaukwu Local Government Area; Idzem and Okpoolo people in Ezza North Local Government Area; and Okpoto and Ntezi people in Ishielu Local Government Area, which constitute a vital and integral part of the state.
In a statement made available to Nigeria News Flight by the Concerned Orring Stakeholders on the platform of Orring Peoples Assembly (OPA), the group lamented that none of its kinsmen was included in the cabinet of the new government in Ebonyi State.
In the statement signed by Comrade Emmanuel Acha, Engr. Edede Barnabas, Comrade Chukwuma Obo, and Mr. Nwankwo Tochukwu Ukpai, OPA stated: “It is indeed hard to believe that the government could not find anyone of our people suitable and worthy from the pool of highly educated, endowed and talented persons of Orring stock spread across the academia, civil service, professionals, private sector and the political class.
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“In fact, we are minded to believe that our deliberate exclusion is not only a premeditated apartheid policy, but also forebodes a dark and dreary future for our people who will neither have a voice in matters of grave existential reality to us.
“For the records, the last time Orring people held a position of significance in Ebonyi State was during the government of Dr. Sam Egwu and Chief Martin Elechi when Prince Igwe Nomeh of blessed memory and Hon. Nicodemus Omenka were in the cabinets as Commissioners respectively. It has become a culture that every successive administration has implemented this policy of exclusion and apartheid towards our people by ignoring Orring people in government appointments with impunity.”
OPA also appealed to the state governor to reverse the trend, urging it to set a new governance standard and follow best practices of constituting an inclusive government where the full complement of state character, diversity and plurality will be accommodated.
“The only way we can assuage our people that we have a stake in this government is for the Orring people to be involved in its top echelon.
“That is not asking for too much and we believe it is the right and proper course for a just, peaceful, inclusive and egalitarian society,” OPA stated.
Besides, the Orring people assured the new administration of their loyalty and partnership towards building a new era in the Ebonyi State valoa2000@yahoo.com
