In a strongly worded statement signed and made available to journalists by the immediate past Executive Chairman of Ohaukwu local government area, Barrister Clement Odah in Abakaliki, the group expressed dissatisfaction with what it termed “unprecedented marginalization,” noting that the Orrin people currently have no representation in the State Executive Council or the State House of Assembly.
The stakeholders argued that despite the expansive composition of the present administration with over 30 commissioners and several senior aides, the Orrin nationality has not secured a single commissioner position, nor any legislative seat in the state assembly.
“This is the first time since the creation of Ebonyi State in 1996 that the Orrin Nation has been completely excluded from critical governance structures,” the statement read. “Even at the level of federal appointments and parastatals, there is no identifiable Orrin representation.”
The Orrin nationality, comprising communities such as Ntezi, Effium, Okpoto, Amuda/Idzem, and Okpolo, spans multiple local government areas, including Ohaukwu, Ishielu, and Ezza North. The group emphasized that its demographic spread across both Ebonyi North and Central senatorial zones places it among the few sub-ethnic blocs with such broad political and geographic presence.
While acknowledging Governor Nwifuru’s efforts in expanding political appointments and advancing human capital development through scholarships and professional support initiatives, the group maintained that inclusivity remains a fundamental pillar of democratic governance.
“Equity, fairness, and balanced representation are the cornerstones of any democratic system. The apparent absence of Orrin voices in governance raises critical concerns about inclusiveness and political justice,” the statement added.
The stakeholders, however, stopped short of accusing the administration of deliberate exclusion, suggesting instead that the situation may be the result of an oversight. They called on the governor to address the imbalance in the spirit of fairness and responsive leadership.
“We believe this may not be intentional but rather an inadvertent omission. We urge His Excellency to use this opportunity to correct the imbalance and ensure that all constituent groups are carried along in the governance process,” the group stated.
The appeal comes amid broader national conversations on equity, representation, and inclusive governance, particularly in multi-ethnic states where political balancing is often seen as essential to stability and cohesion.
Efforts to obtain an official response from the Ebonyi State Government were unsuccessful as of press time.
Political pundits noted that how the administration responds to such concerns could shape perceptions of inclusiveness and equity ahead of future electoral cycles.
