Former NTA Board Chair Laments Lopsidedness In Alia’s Appointments

*Appeals To SGF For Idoma Minister

By Uche Nnorom, Makurdi

A former Chairman,Board of Directors, Nigeria Television Authority (NTA) Chief Patrick Ogbu has lamented over lopsidedness in appointments so far made by Benue State Governor Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia.

Chief Ogbu pointed out that the Benue populace had desired the restoration of sanity in the system, adding that many had thought that with the background of Alia as a priest he would rid the state of some of these challenges.

The former Board Chairman averred that because of the marginalisation that has been embedded in the system for a long time, it is expected that everyone would be carried along to ensure that the healing process commenced.

He also, passionately appealed to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF Sen. George Akume to use his office and ensure that the ministerial slot from Benue State is given to an Idoma person.

Chief Ogbu made this appeal on Sunday in a telephone conversation with newsmen in Makurdi.

The former Governorship aspirant on the platform of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) in the build-up to the 2023 general elections, further advised the Tinubu administration to put into consideration that anyone who finally emerges, should be from the Idoma or Igede speaking area of Zone C.

He However, suggested two (2) prominent indigenes suitable for the position amongst them Chief Steven Lawani who served as the Director-General of the Tinubu Presidential Campaign Organisation in the state and a former Deputy Governor and Emmanuel Apkakwu, a Fellow of the Healthcare Administrators of Nigeria.

Ogbu also urged the SGF to bring his fatherly disposition to bear on the state governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia to ensure that the position of Commissioners and Advisers in his administration were equitably distributed among the three senatorial districts of the state.

He advised that in making appointments into the state cabinet, the Governor should put into consideration the issue of gender.

Said he, “The Governor can make the appointment of Commissioners and Advisers on a 50-50 ratio. The issue of gender should be put into consideration in order to balance the appointments. That’s the angle I am coming from”.

Ogbu who was the Secretary of the 2023 PDP Governorship Aspirants Forum in the state applauded the SGF, whom he worked under as a Senior Special Assistant (SSA), Cabinet Duties for the eight years of his administration as Governor, expressed confidence that with the intervention of the SGF, Zone C will have some respite.