FG palliatives: 12 million Igbo sidelined, President General of Igbo Delegates Assembly reveals

From Paul Orude Bauchi

President General of Igbo Delegates Assembly (IDA), the umbrella body of all Igbos in the 19 Northern States and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja, Chief Kenneth Okeugo, has called on governors of the region to carry Igbo along in the distribution of fuel subsidy palliatives.

Okeugo, who was elected at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the association on September 16 and 17, 2023, held at the Royal Park Hotel Aitken Road Sabon Gari Kano, Kano State, made the call during an interview with journalists in Gombe on Tuesday.

He lamented that over 12 million Igbo residing in the north are being sidelined in the palliatives distribution despite facing challenges and suffering like other Nigerians.

“The insecurity in the country is also affecting our people and there is nowhere in the north that Igbo are not located,” he stated.

“We have noticed that most of the palliatives that the federal government are giving out our people are not really benefitting from it, both the ones done by the federal government and the ones by the states government.

 “We intend to look into it and partner with governments so that our people will keep partnering with government”

The IDA President General promised to use his leadership to strengthen unity among Igbo so they actively participate in government and decision making.

“I want to look at it in such a way that Igbo must be able to get into government,” he sais 

“There are so many Igbos that have spent 40 years in the north and with these number of years there are many things that they are still being denied.

 “Their parents are paying taxes, they were born there and grew up there yet their children are not being given University admissions.

“They cannot go to the South East because they are not there.

 “We hope to explore these issues with the governments in the states

“We must look at this issue properly. 

“We should be talking about state of residence not indigene so that wherever a Nigerian resides that is also where he or she can get the benefits. 

“At least for the number of years say five it should be automatic.

 “I can tell you for sure that most Igbo who apply for university admissions in the north are not being treated as those who come from the catchment areas.

“No matter how you try you may not get it.

 “We will partner with both the federal and state government to get our people  in the north to access government policies so that will get a sense of belonging “

The Igbo leader expressed his gratitude for being elected .as President General.of IDA and pledged his readiness to lead the 12 million Igbos in Northern Nigeria to participate in the programmes of President Bola Tinubu.

“I feel great because it is an opportunity to lead my people,” he said.

“It’s a great honour to be chosen among great and matured Igbos from all the 19 Northern States and FCT Abuja for you to leader them. It’s a great honour and I feel great”

He said the Igbos are progressive partners in the Nigerian project, hence will support the Tinubu

 government in moving the country forward.

“I urge all Igbo to pray for the government to succeed because if the government succeeds we will benefit from it too,” he said.