The coalition of Niger North Youth Forums has berated Governor Umaru Bago for appointing only people from Zones A and B into key positions and neglecting Zone C, which gave massive votes that brought him to power.

During an extraordinary meeting of the National Executive Council members in Minna on Friday, the coalition’s president, Sahabi Auna, alleged that the present administration marginalised Zone C.

According to Mr Auna, during the election, the zone supported the All Progressives Congress with “bulk votes” at both state and federal levels.

“Zone C gave a bulk of votes against the A and B zones; in fact, the two zones outrightly voted against APC in the 2023 elections,” he said. 

“We presume our allegiance will be escorted with resounding applause, but it wasn’t the case,” he added.

He said political appointment, zoning arrangements, and statutory representation should be given usual consideration in the state.

Mr Auna added that key decision-making roles such as the governor, deputy, SSG, chief of staff, deputy chief of staff, head of service and agencies like NSUBEB, SDG and civil service commission were all from zones A and B.

The coalition president called on the governor to address the inequalities and inclusiveness and ensure all zones were given equal opportunities and representation.

Mr Auna disclosed that aside from marginalisation, the zone was being terrified by pathetic insurgency, leading to the massacre of lives and destruction of property.

Reacting, the chief press secretary to the governor, Bologi Ibrahim, said appointments by the present administration were balanced as there were more commissioners, special advisers, and directors-general from Zone C.

He said it was not true that the zone had been marginalised as there were more appointments in the zones, adding that appointments were still ongoing and it was too early to complain of marginalisation. 

(NAN)