Eminent leaders from the southern part of the Nigeria under the auspices of Southern Nigeria Peoples Assembly (SNPA) yesterday faulted appointments made so far by President Muhammadu Buhari, describing them as lopsided.They also lamented the rising activities of Boko Haram terrorists.
The leaders including Bishop Emmanuel Bolanle Gbonigi, Chief Edwin Clark, Chief Alex Ekwueme, Gen. Akin Aduwo (retd.), Senator Ngod Denton-West, Ndogesit Ekanga, Senator Femi Okunronmu and Dr Kunle Olajide among others, advised President Buhari to step up the war against insurgency.
Gbonigi, who is chairman and leader of the South-west delegates, said the fight against corruption by the Buhari administration was one sided and the government should do everything to reverse the trend.
While commending the president for anti-corruption stance and the setting up of the Prof Itse Sagay-led Presidential Advisory Panel on anti-corruption, Gbonigi appealed to him to be total and non-selective in the fight.
On lopsidedness of appointments made so far, the respected bishop said: “Elections are over and President Buhari is president of Nigeria and Nigerians. No section of the country should be over-patronised at the expense of others. It is our sincere hope that the lopsidedness in the appointments made by Mr. President to date is not an indication of the trend of future appointments.
“The constitution must be respected and the diversity of Nigeria must reflect in all appointments to guarantee stability, unity, peace and progress. A situation where the President, Senate President, Speaker and Chief Justice are from the North is not acceptable.
“The South is not subservient to the North and the situation in which only the deputies are zoned to the South is not acceptable”.
Leader of the Southsouth delegates and frontline Ijaw leader, Clark who said at 89 years he was no longer a member of any political party, added: “It is my strong, irrevocable view that the fundamental state directive principles and federal character shall not only be respected but must be seen to be adhered to by government for the overall interest and good of all Nigerians”.
On the fight against corruption, the former federal commissioner for information said the war must not be selective, limited to perceived political enemies or to score cheap political points, but be holistic and made to save Nigeria from depression. (Informationng)