An All Progressives Congress, APC, stalwart, Dr Peter inyali, has cried out that President Bola Tinubu’s recent actions and decisions have further marginalized and divided Cross River State.
He stated this in a statement released on Saturday, expressing sadness that only six Cross River indigenes were among 555 Nigerians appointed as governing council chairmen and members of federal tertiary institutions.
He said the neglect was disheartening and heartrending even though Cross River is an APC controlled state and had massively voted for Tinubu during last year’s presidential election.
“Honestly, it is unbelievably disheartening and deeply disappointing at the way President Tinubu’s administration has treated Cross River State in terms of federal appointments.
“Despite the state’s unwavering support for the President and the APC, with a significant number of votes cast in their favour at all levels in the last election, the state has been met with utter disregard and disrespect.
“Unfortunately, the President’s actions have only served to further divide and marginalise our state. For a state that proudly claims to be the only APC controlled state in the South-South region, what’s happening under this administration is frustrating.”
Inyali argued that it is inconceivable to suggest that there are no suitable Cross Riverians to hold chairmanship positions in tertiary institutions whereas the state blasts of high human capital.
According to him, during the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, despite being in opposition then, the state had three governing council chairmen heading tertiary institutions.
“This is a glaring injustice, especially when considering that some states have secured over 20 slots.”
He said there should have been an inclusive approach to the appointments where more representative selection would have come from each state to ensure a more balanced distribution of positions.
“For instance, if the President had taken just 10 names from each state including the Federal Capital Territory where each is allowed to produce at least one chairman, that would have accounted for 370 appointments, leaving him with 185 to prioritize his preferred states.”
Appointments: Tinubu has marginalized Cross River – Dr Inyali
