The indigenes of Akwa Ibom resident in the FCT have appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to forward to the National Assembly the name of acting Director General of Security and Exchange Commission (SEC) Ms. Mary Joseph Uduk for immediate confirmation as the substantive DG of the Commission.
This is even as the indigenes under the aegis of Akwa Ibom Community Abuja are alleging that the delay in the confirmation of Mrs. Uduk is on the account that she is from the minority ethnic group, urging President Buhari to further strengthen Nigeria’s bond of unity, fairness and equity by confirming her appointment.
In a release on Friday jointly signed by the President of the group, Barr. Aniefiok Ibah and the Secretary General, Barr. Remigius Edebianga they expressed shock that the delay in the confirmation of Mrs. Uduk is unhealthy, adding that it gives rise to speculations that she may be supplanted despite all she has contributed in the Commission.
“The Community is also concerned over desperate efforts by “powers that be” to scheme out Mary Uduk in favour of Lamido Yuguda on no other grounds than her minority ethnic background. This is condemnable as it is despicable and anachronistic. It qualifies as an attempt to further stick a knife in our fragile unity and also a sad reminder to the disdain with which the Niger Delta region have been treated like an orphan in a nation they have made enormous sacrifices to build.
“We appeal to President Muhammadu Buhari to reconsider the confirmation of Mary Uduk who has been in acting capacity for TWO and HALF years. The newly leadership and members of the Board of Federal Character Commission to wade into the matter and guarantee equal representation of all ethnic nationalities in further government`s appointments. The National Assembly should query any appointment that does not represent fairness and equality to all the ethnic nationalities.
“Our demand for her immediate confirmation must not therefore be seen from the narrow prism of ethnic polarity and tribal solidarity but a patriotic move to further lend our support towards consolidating on the reformatory initiatives she has brought into the system over the years. Our call for her immediate confirmation will also provide a veritable platform for the President, Muhammadu Buhari to purge himself of perceived ethnic and religious jingoism that has brought about lopsided appointments in his cabinet in the past 5 years
“At a time when the campaign for women inclusiveness and affirmative action is at its peak, failure to confirm Mary Joseph Uduk the substantive Director General of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) will be a collective assault on our hard working, resourceful and productive women.
“Most importantly, at a time when our economy is at a crossroad birthed by the devastating effects of COVID-19, the consequences of sacrificing her decades of gainful experience and expertise on the altar of tribal consideration will further strain the strength of Nigerian economy and rob the country of the opportunities and consolidation agenda her confirmation will certainly birth.
“This is a woman who is not just young but vibrant to contribute meaningfully to the growth and development of her fatherland. This is a woman who in the past THIRTY (30) years has spent her entire career contributing and leading efforts on protecting investors and developing a capital market that facilitates the development of our economy,” the release said.
