…Laments discriminatory treatment against non-indigenes
The Assembly of Concerned Non-Indigenes Residing in Anambra State yesterday said that they can only support candidate that have a favorable and beneficial policy for the non-indigenes in November 18 governorship election in the state.
Loading ...The National Coordinator of the group Mr. Ibuchim Ezekwelu flanked with other members in a press conference yesterday said it was not a big favour if any of the candidates of the major political parties picks non-Indigenes as their running mates in forthcoming election.
He said that it would go a long way to assuage the minds and spirits of all the non-indigenes while lamenting the treatment meted to non-indigenes in the state over the years where they were not allowed to be elected or appointed in any government office in the state which he described as bad omen for the state.
According to him, “apart from some political appointments, like commissioners, special advisers and aides, we expect that the incoming government will provide a level playing ground for everybody who wish to participate in any field of endeavour”.
“Traders should be allowed to choose their leaders, members of every church organizations should be left alone to elect anyone of their members they wish to lead them, Keke and OKada operators, commercial bus drivers, artisans and other professional associations should be allowed to elect anyone of their members they choose to lead then without government interference”.
“Our contractors and consultants must be treated equally with their Anambra state counterparts, enough of the punitive transfers of our members who are civil servants in the state, let scholarship awards be given to our kids meritoriously, some of our members who are due to be made principals of their various schools should be accorded such rights and privileges” he stated.
“Those who have been denied promotions should be promoted, those who wish to contest for any post, be it councilorship, chairmen of councils, market associations, House of Assembly or National elections should be allowed and encouraged to do so. And it they win, they should not be denied or rigged out” Ezekwelu declared.
Ezekwelu however stated that they have decided to pursue their grievances in a very civilized and legal manner, asked for a change of policy by the powers that be so that all the non-indigenes would have a sense of belonging in the state where they reside.
