By Gloria Ikibah
The apex Igbo socio-cultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, has urged the 10th National Assembly to ensure fairness to the South East in the ongoing constitutional amendment process.
This appeal was made during the South East Zonal Public Hearing for Imo and Abia States, held on Saturday in Owerri, the Imo State capital.
Presenting the organization’s position on behalf of its National Executive Committee, Barrister Chizoba Iheka commended the efforts of the National Assembly Committees on the Review of the 1999 Constitution and expressed readiness to contribute constructive proposals for consideration.
Ohanaeze further noted that the Governor of Imo State had already raised key issues, including the creation of an additional state for the South East, rotational presidency, and security sector reforms. Consequently, the group focused its submissions on other critical areas of national concern.
Ohaneze stated, “The Southeast Zone has been marginalized in the distribution of key federal infrastructure in the past 50 years. Especially in the following areas, railways, airports, federal universities, politics, etc. We propose that the constitution be amended therefore to ensure equitable distribution of these facilities across the six geopolitical zones of the country”.
The group also called for inclusiveness in the distributions of key federal positions and appointments to ensure equity among the nation’s federation units which includes the South East geopolical zones.
“We advocate a deliberate service in this constitution. To ensure that the key federal positions including the presidency, the Senate president, the Speaker, and other major offices of the country reflect the six geopolitical zones.
“This will promote inclusiveness, a sense of brotherhood, and fairness in the distribution of leadership roles. It will be recalled that since the inception of the present democratic dispensation in the country, nobody from Southeast geopolitical zone has ever held the position of a leader.
“Nobody from Southeast geopolitical zone has ever held the position of a leader. position of Attorney General of the Federation, Head of Civil Defense, Immigration, Customs, and Minister of Internal Affairs and Agriculture, among others. Presently, the following key positions as the Leader Southeast, namely the President, the Vice President, the Senate President, the Deputy President of the Senate, the Speaker of the Federal House of Reps, Chief Justice of the Federation, and the Secretary of Police, among others.
“However, we believe that these proposals will contribute to a more equitable and inclusive federal structure, addressing the historical marginalization of Southeast and promoting national cohesion and development”, he added.