OPINION
The All Progressives Congress (APC) as a political party was built on the principles of inclusivity, equity, fairness, and justice.
Against this backdrop, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu contested the last general election with the “Emilokan” slogan and won the hearts of the people, because it was reasonably the turn of the south to produce the president of Nigeria after the north.
In Ebonyi State, the emergence of Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru was no surprise to many. On the principles of equity and justice, it became necessary for the people to support him because it was the turn of Ebonyi North to produce a governor.
As the race to occupy the Senate position for Ebonyi south senatorial district thickens by day, it is however, important that the same principle should be applied to maintain a system of inclusivity in the affairs of the government.
This, would no doubt rekindle the heart of the people to believe in the democratic culture of the APC in ensuring that the voice of the marginalized and abandoned people is heard loud and clear.
Comrade Marcelo Nwaji Anyigor, the Southeast Director of Asiwaju Grassroots Foundation, AGF Project Beyond 2023 as a strong competitor for the exalted position is coming from a people whose political interest at the state and national level has suffered abandonment.
Ebonyi South is made up of five local government areas namely Afikpo North, Afikpo South, Ivo, Ohoazara, and Onicha respectively.
According to Ebonyi South Equity Movement, EB-SEM under the coordinatorship of Comrade Igwe Eze, statistically, the Onicha local government area has the least number of representatives at both national and state levels.
Eze revealed that the three past senators of Ebonyi South senatorial district are from Ohoazara, Afikpo North and Afikpo South local government areas, the immediate past House of Representatives member and the current one are both from Ivo but Onicha produced just one.
He opined: “To ensure equity and justice, Marcelo Anyigor should be considered a perfect replacement for Senator David Umahi, who is the current minister of works from Uburu, in Ohoazara. suffice to say, that the immediate past minister of science and technology, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu also hails from Ohoazara.
“Marcelo Anyigor is from a community in the Onicha local government area whose political interest has suffered abandonment.”
In its call for justice and inclusiveness in Ebonyi south politics, the group lamented that “The situation in Onicha LGA, particularly Ukawu, stands out.
“While other communities have had their representatives in various positions, Ukawu remains unrepresented.
“The narrative of Ukawu’s long-standing loyalty and support to other communities within the zone is compelling.
“Ukawu has consistently contributed massive votes to ensure the success of other community members in their electoral pursuits. Peace has been maintained during election campaigns, a testament to Ukawu’s commitment to unity.
“For justice and inclusiveness, it’s time to give Ukawu the opportunity it deserves to represent the entire Ebonyi South zone. Ukawu’s track record of support, loyalty, and dedication to the well-being of the region is undeniable,” the group indicated.
“This is the lamentations of the people whose son, comrade Marcelo Nwaji Anyigor supported the current president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to emerge on the principles of equity and justice, they are seeking equity and justice too.
“At this point, the people whose political interests have been hitherto protected by their brothers and sisters from Ukawu in Onicha local government area should respond to the call for justice, respect they say is reciprocal.
“Also, the government of Ebonyi State, a beneficiary of the same principle of equity, fairness, and justice, believably would not fold its hands and watch a set of people suffer marginalization in a state known for Inclusiveness.
“Comrade Marcelo Nwaji Anyigor is the Fairness, equity, and justice that Ebonyi South senatorial district deserves.”
Recall that Comrade Marcelo Nwaji Anyigor is a founding member of the All Progressives Congress, APC from Onicha Local government area of Ebonyi State.
He is a very firm loyal man to the present government in Ebonyi State and at the national level. He has paid his dues both at the national and state levels towards the sustenance and deepening of democracy in Nigeria through his unwavering belief and personal support for the course of progressive politics in kind and personal resources.
Anyigor as the current South East Director of AGF, the foremost support organisation of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, mobilized members of the public including the state executives and all local government officials of the group across the region including Abia, Anambra, Enugu, Ebonyi, Imo for the campaigns and election of President Tinubu, it becomes pertinent to flashback to his key roles while waiting for a fresh election for Ebonyi South senatorial vacant seat.
While the election is hopefully to take any place when the Senate President officially declares the seat vacant, the principles of equity, fairness and justice have to amass high interest in the senatorial district.
Investigation revealed that for the past 16 years, nobody from the Othe Nicha local government area has had a chance to clinch the Senate seat of Ebonyi South District.
It was also gathered that Onicha is divided into two blocs East and West.
Notwithstanding, Onicha West has already produced a Council Chairman and three Commissioners while Onicha East is left with nothing and no position to date.