Abia: Defunct TSGICC Members Cry Foul Over Alleged Imbalance In Appointments Into Boards Of Tertiary Institutions

Some members of the defunct Tinubu-Shettima Grassroots Independent Campaign Council, TSGICC, have alleged that the recent appointments into the Boards of Tertiary Institutions by the Tinubu administration were not balanced, and failed to recognise the federal character principle enshrined in the constitution of Nigeria.

Addressing journalists in Umuahia, the Abia State capital, on Wednesday, in the company of many other members, Barrister Alozie Nkire, who said they were active members of the defunct Tinubu – Shettima Grassroots Independent Campaign Council, TSGICC, Abia State chapter, lamented over alleged marginalisation of members of the party in Abia State by the Federal Government in the area of political appointments.

He said the recent appointments into the Governing Board of Tertiary Institutions did not treat the States fairly, particularly Abia State.

Alozie said, “Imagine a situation whereby more than 550 persons got appointed into the Boards of Universities, Polytechnics and Colleges of Education, and Abia could not get up to five slots, what impression should that leave on us. It can only mean that those of us who toiled day and night to secure votes for the APC during the 2023 general elections do not matter so much to the Tinubu administration.”

Continuing, he said it was sad that while some States got more than 30 slots, there were others that got five or less.

In his own contribution, Jerry Elechi said that while it was true that the APC did not pass in Abia State in the presidential election last year, many members in the State did so much to garner the votes that were recorded for the party.

He called on the APC leaders in the State to make a representation to Tinubu to drive home the frustrations of the members of the party in Abia, stressing that the party members needed empowerment to contribute significantly in future elections.

He pointed out that the influx of members of other political parties in Abia State into the APC was evident that the party was getting very ready for future elections.

Elechi said many of them, particularly those who have been in the party since 2014 had become objects of caricature in the hands of opposition elements in the State, adding that many party members who believed in the fact that Tinubu was a rewarder of loyalty, had begun to have doubts based on how appointments were being made.

He described the treatment being given to members of the party in Abia as demotivating, adding that those who laboured for the victory of the President need to be recognised through appointments.

He expressed worry that those who did not work for the party were being favoured at the detriment of party loyalists.

Elechi called on President Tinubu to revisit the recent appointments released by the Federal Ministry of Education with a view to correcting the imbalances.