Concerned Abia citizens writes President Tinubu on marginalization of ukwa ethnic-bloc by successive governments in Nigeria 

By Chijindu Emeruwa

Concerned citizens of ukwa ethnic-extraction in Abia state in southeast zone, have written to Nigerian President, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over the age-long neglect, injustice and marginalization of the ukwa land by successive governments at the centre since 2015.

In an open letter, signed by High Chief Oxford Wabara, on behalf of people of ukwa ethnic-bloc, the concerned citizens informed the President that ukwa land contributes directly to the survival of the Nigerian economy with its endowed oil and gas deposits.

They told President Tinubu that despite the immense contributions by ukwa extraction to the national treasury, the people of the Abia area are excluded from federal appointment, denied political recognition, and left to languish in underdevelopment.

The concerned Abia citizens described the continued marginalization of the ukwa land by the successive administrations in the country as blatant injustice and betrayal of the Nigerian spirit of equity, fairness and injustice.

“Other oil-bearing communities in the Niger Delta have been recognized, appointed and empowered, yet ukwa-east, one of the oil and gas pipelines and infrastructure corridors, which run through ndoki communities in ukwa east which makes us a catchment local government area in Abia state remains abandoned,”They lamented.

Continuing, the concerned Ukwa citizens stated “Mr President sir, as the custodian of the renowned hope agenda, history beckons on you to end this cycle of injustice. We, therefore, with all sincere humility make the following appeals, inclusion of ukwa, specially ukwa east people in federal appointments at the highest levels of government.

“Recognition of ukwa east local government area as a key oil and gas producing community deserving of infrastructural development and federal presence.

“Presidential directives to relevant federal and state governments agencies to commence a SPECIAL PURPOSE VEHICLE (SPV) with Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria (PETAN) to re-enter and activate over one hundred (100) capped oil wells across ukwa east and ukwa west for the benefits of creating job opportunities for our people and other Nigerians. Youth unemployment fuels migration thereby draining the area of its brightest minds.

“Political inclusion and empowerment of ukwa people as Nigeria moves towards the 2027 general elections – without which our people will continue to feel deliberately alienated from the nigerian project.

“Your Excellency Sir, we state without fear of contradiction that a nation that feeds on the resources of a people while denying them representation at highest level of executive governance is guilty of grave injustice. The patience of ukwa people should sincerely be compensated through your fatherly intervention. Our continued exclusion will only deepen feelings of alienation, resentment and disillusionment.

“We therefore sincerely appeal to your conscience, your sense of fairness and your duty as the father of the nation to right this wrongs and carry ukwa people along. The time to ACT should be now- before the 2027 general elections- so that our people can at last believe that Nigeria belongs to us all.

“ENOUGH OF NEGLECT. ENOUGH OF MARGINALIZATION. Ukwa deserves justice, people minded representation and a place at the table of National Executive leadership”.