Elder statesman and Chairman of the Osisioma Foundation, Dr. Chike Obidigbo, has told President Bola Tinubu that any attempt to use the appointment of Lady Bianca Ojukwu to quell secessionist agitations or protest the marginalization of the Igbo would fail .

DAILY POST reports that Bianca Ojukwu was among the seven new ministers sworn in by Tinubu and will serve as Minister of State for Foreign Affairs.

In a statement made available to journalists on Monday, Obidigbo disagreed with those who suggest that the widow of the late Igbo leader, Dim Emeka Ojukwu, should have rejected the nomination.

He asserted that although the former Nigerian Ambassador to Spain does not belong to the All Progressives Congress (APC), which allegedly continued to marginalize the Igbo in federal appointments, she displays impeccable credentials necessary for building the nation.

Responding to concerns expressed by those who expressed reservations about the appointment, Obidigbo said that “as the wife of a man who was the beacon of Biafra, the minister should know that any attempt to use her to to stifle secessionist agitations or to protest against the marginalization of the Igbos “fail”.

“The appointment of Lady Bianca Ojukwu was strictly based on merit and on her strength of character, superb behavior and extensive experience in international diplomacy,” he added.

While asserting that the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs would leverage her rich experience and contacts around the world in her current mission, Obidigbo said: “It is clear that she is in fact a call for serve.

“I fully support his acceptance of the nomination despite the fact that the present APC federal government has continued where General Muhammadu Buhari left off in mistreating the Igbo.

“The ministerial appointment of Lady Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu holds great significance both for the Igbo and for Nigeria as a whole. His appointment shows that the Igbo have quality personnel who could help turn around the current deplorable situation in Nigeria.

“As Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, this modest stance is a rebuke to successive political leaders in Anambra State, who are reluctant to unleash the potential of women in socio-economic development based on considerations fragile cultures.

“Finally, I am confident that the appointment of the Minister of State would help bring her point of view into the discussions on the circumstances propelling secessionist agitation among the Igbo youth.

“Ms. Ojukwu’s current position will put her in a prime position to also share her views on how to achieve common ground on the prolonged and questionable incarceration of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu within the international community.

“However, if she finds out that her appointment was specifically aimed at sabotaging Igbo unity and interests, she should remember whose daughter and wife she is and bow respectfully to retain her dignity and immense influence.

“However, I also wish to remind my friend, President Tinubu, to take another look at the skewed ministerial appointment which has left the South East with less than what it deserves in terms of stature and appointment of those responsible for the area.

“It is appalling and a blatant display of disdain that out of a huge list of 48 ministers, the South East could only be allocated two ministries: Science, Technology and Works.

“Having selected three women from the zone in his cabinet, President Tinubu should have considered one of them as a senior minister.”