With 2% Of Police Commissioners, Igbo Marginalisation Worse Than Apartheid – Rep Umeoji

A second-term member of the House of Representatives, Rep. Chukwuma Umeoji, Agauta Federal Constituency has strongly condemned the appointment of police commissioners regarding the Igbo saying it is worse than apartheid discrimination.

Umeoji, a former local government area chairman of Agauta who was elected on the platform of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) asserted that the discrimination of the Igbo is even worse in the civil service.

He spoke against the background of the recent deployment of police commissioners which saw only one Igbo officer deployed out of a total of 37 officers from across the country’s 37 police commands.

Umeoji who accused the All Progressives Congress, APC administration of President Muhammadu Buhari of marginalizing the Southeast said:

“The marginalisation of the Igbos for many decades in the Police, Army, Airforce, Navy and other agencies of government, has continued with impunity and has reached an alarming level. 

“The recent posting of the commissioners of police to the 36 States and FCT, has further proven the level of marginalisation, only comparable to what was witnessed during the apartheid South Africa. 

“The Police command distribution is as follows–North West(12), North East(8), South-west (7), South-South (5), Northcentral (4), Southeast(1). This is due to systematic suppression and delay of promotion of qualified Igbo officers.”

While observing how the Igbo are denied promotion, he said that “over the years, the Igbo have been deliberately delayed in the Police and Armed Forces from promotions along the ladder to make sure that at no time, will an Igbo man hold prominent position”. 

Observing that the marginalization is worse in the mainstream civil service, he said:

“What happened in the Police Commissioners posting is insignificant compared to what is going on in the ministries, agencies and parastatals of Government. There is a silent understanding that the Igbos should be excluded or prevented from heading Agencies and Parastatals. 

“In Federal Service, the marginalisation is further worsened by the promotion of less qualified persons, based on tribal considerations.”

Concluding he said the country has not fared any better because of the enthronement of nepotism and tribalism in governance.

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