COSEYL condemns ethnic profiling of FCT Director of Lands, Chijioke Nwankoeze

The Coalition of South East Youth Leaders (COSEYL), the apex sociopolitical youth group in the South East geopolitical zone, has strongly condemned a disturbing and increasingly orchestrated campaign against Mr. Chijioke Nwankoeze, Director of Land Administration in the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), Abuja.

In a statement jointly signed by Comrade Goodluck Ibem, President General of COSEYL and Comrade Okey Nwaoru, the Publicity Secretary, COSEYL said, while it does not oppose legitimate scrutiny of public officials, we emphatically reject any attempt to weaponise the instruments of accountability as a vehicle for ethnic profiling, character assassination, intimidation or a politically motivated pull-him-down campaign.

The statement read: “The question Nigerians must ask is simple: Why has the office of Director of Lands suddenly become the subject of such feverish activism now that an Igbo professional occupies it?

“COSEYL recalls that persons from different ethnic backgrounds have occupied sensitive positions within the FCT land administration system in the past. Yet, according to our assessment, the intensity of the present campaign raises legitimate questions about whether the individual occupying the office — rather than the policies and procedures of the office — has become the real target.

“It is clear that the campaign by detractors is not driven or commitment to transparency but rather an attempt to single out an Igbo public servant for disproportionate scrutiny.

“Accountability must never become selective. Transparency must never become tribal. Activism must never become a euphemism for ethnic persecution.

“COSEYL is particularly concerned by what appears to be an effort to construct a narrative of guilt around Mr. Nwankoeze before competent authorities have established any wrongdoing. The mere existence of a petition, allegation or request for investigation does not constitute proof of misconduct.

“Mr. Nwankoeze, like every Nigerian citizen, is entitled to the presumption of innocence, due process and a fair opportunity to answer any allegation made against him.

“We are aware that the administration of land in Abuja is an exceptionally sensitive responsibility, involving competing interests, property transactions and strict compliance with planning regulations. It is therefore entirely possible that decisions taken by a Director of Lands in the discharge of his responsibilities may offend powerful interests.

“COSEYL’s position is that a public officer must not be condemned merely because his professional decisions inconvenience individuals whose interests conflict with established regulations or the Abuja Master Plan.”

The group added: “From the information available to us, Mr. Nwankoeze has conducted himself as a professional public servant and has sought to discharge his responsibilities within the framework of the applicable rules and the Abuja Master Plan. If individuals or interests are dissatisfied with particular administrative decisions, the proper avenue is to challenge those decisions through lawful institutional mechanisms — not to manufacture a campaign of personal vilification.

“We call on relevant authorities not to succumb to pressure from activists, political interests or ethnic sentiments.

“At the same time, COSEYL challenges civil society organisations to uphold the very principles they profess to defend.

“You cannot preach justice while practising selective outrage.

You cannot demand accountability while exhibiting double standards.

You cannot claim patriotism while allowing ethnicity to determine the intensity of your activism.

“The South-East will not sit idly by while an Igbo professional is subjected to what we consider a disproportionate campaign simply because he occupies an influential position in Abuja.

“Let it be unequivocally stated: COSEYL opposes persecution disguised as investigation. We do not oppose accountability. We oppose selective accountability. We oppose scrutiny driven by ethnic prejudice or ulterior motives.

“The era in which an Igbo public servant must constantly prove his innocence merely because he has attained a sensitive position outside the South-East must end.

“Nigeria belongs to all of us. Abuja belongs to all Nigerians. Public office must be governed by competence and law — not by ethnicity, prejudice or the politics of intimidation.

“COSEYL therefore urges Mr. Nwankoeze to remain focused, professional and resolute in the discharge of his responsibilities and assures him that he is not alone in defending the fundamental principles of fairness, due process and equal treatment before the law.

“The campaign of calumny against Mr Nwankoeze will not prevail. And COSEYL will continue to speak whenever the rights, dignity and legitimate interests of Ndigbo are threatened anywhere in Nigeria.

“We therefore pass a vote of confidence on Mr Chijioke Nwankoeze for the positive things he is doing in the FCTA urging him to keep up the good works.”