The Apex Igbo Socio-Cultural Organisation, Ohaneze Ndigbo has lamented that the South East region has been schemed out and marginalised in distribution of key federal government infrastructure for over 50 years.
To this end, it proposed that the constitution be amended to ensure equitable distribution of these facilities across the six geopolitical zones of the country.
The group made the call at the South East Zonal Public hearing for Constitutional Amendment exercise by the 10th National Assembly for Imo and Abia States on Saturday.
Ohaneze made the call in a submission by its National Executive Committee, presented by Mr. Chizoba Iheka.
It stated: The South-east 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.
“It will be recalled that since the inception of the present democratic dispensation in the country, nobody from the South-east geopolitical zone has ever held the position of a leader.
“Nobody from South-east 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 South-east, 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.”