APC chieftain cautions against hasty thought on marginalisation

PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari’s recent appointments, especially of the service chiefs, are not reason enough to conclude that the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led government is marginalising the Ndigbo, the Special Assistant to Imo State Governor and Lagos Liaison Officer, Alfred Ononugbo, has said.

Ononugbo, who addressed the media yesterday in Lagos on a planned solidarity rally and reception for Governor Rochas Okorocha tomorrow at the National Art Theatre, Iganmu, urged people to allow the new government find its feet first, adding that APC stands for merit and will appoint qualified persons from the region in due time.

He noted that the 17 appointments the President has so far made cannot give a true assessment of his commitment to equity and fairness, stating that competent Igbo people would certainly be appointed into offices.

“We are too hasty in judging a government that is barely three months in office,” he said. “We trust our leaders, and it is too early to make deductions. We have studied the situation, we met a totally broken down infrastructure and system. I think we should allow our leaders time to digest the challenges ahead and find heads that can fit into those caps.

“In a country of about 120 million people, if 17 have got a share, I don’t know how you will assess that. We have no fear, no doubt; we trust in the man we elected. He won this election based on his records and we believe deep in our hearts that his integrity will speak for him and he will be vindicated in the end.”

He reminded Ndigbo that their kinsman, Callistus Obi, has just been appointed the Ag. Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA).

Expected at the reception are Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, APC national leader, Bola Tinubu, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, his counterpart from Ogun State, Ibikunle Amosun, and Senator Chris Ngige, among others.