By Nkechinyere Ewa
The Member representing Ikwo/Ezza South Federal Constituency of Ebonyi State in the House of Representatives, Chinedu Ogah, has urged the Corps Marshal and Chief Executive Officer of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Shehu Mohammed, to review the ongoing recruitment exercise and ensure that genuine Ebonyi indigenes benefit from the state’s quota.
Ogah, who chairs the House Committee on Reformatory Institutions, alleged that a significant number of candidates listed under Ebonyi State are not genuine indigenes of the state.
He described the development as unacceptable, arguing that allowing non-indigenes to occupy positions allocated to Ebonyi could undermine the principles of federal character, fairness and equitable representation.
The lawmaker called on the FRSC leadership to authenticate the identities and indigene certificates of candidates on the Ebonyi list and correct any irregularities discovered during the verification process.
“Ebonyi’s recruitment quota should benefit genuine Ebonyi indigenes. Any situation where non-indigenes occupy positions meant for our people amounts to shortchanging the state,” Ogah said.
He also advocated a transparent verification process, including physical screening where necessary, to establish the authenticity of candidates’ claims to Ebonyi indigeneship.
“If there is any doubt about our claim, let there be a physical verification. We are confident that genuine Ebonyi indigenes can be identified through proper and transparent verification,” he said.
Ogah stressed that federal recruitment exercises must reflect fairness, equity and genuine representation, insisting that Ebonyi should not be denied its legitimate quota.
“Federal character is about fairness and inclusion. Every state deserves its rightful representation, and Ebonyi should not be denied its legitimate quota,” the lawmaker said.
He therefore appealed to the Corps Marshal to urgently review the Ebonyi list and ensure that the recruitment exercise complies with applicable federal character principles.