South-East Commission: Deputy Speaker Kalu outsmarts Gov. Uzodinma over appointments
Abuja (Core Reporters) Appointments into the South-East Commission is generating a lot of heat among the All Progressives Congress (APC) political class in the region, and information available has it that the deputy speaker of the house of representatives, Rt. Hon Ben Kalu seems to be on top of his game.
The supremacy battle going on about the appointments is something capable of undermining the strength of APC in the region. This became visible when the initial list containing Emeka Atuma’s name was submitted by Gov. Hope Uzodinma and the APC South East leadership to the presidency and was announced on Friday before the re-announcement of the same list on Saturday barely 24 hours.
However, Core Reporters learnt that Kalu was not in support of the first list as such influenced changes to the list to include his own candidates, Barr. Emeka Nworgu
President Bola Tinubu’s decision to reshuffle his list of nominees within 24 hours of its release underscored the power play between Uzodinma and Kalu.
The current face-off between the two APC big wigs in the South-East. took a fresh twist on Saturday over appointments in the newly created South East Development Commission (SEDC).
Recall that earlier on Friday, Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, in a press statement unveiled the list of nominees, naming Hon. Emeka Atuma as Chairman.
However, in a surprising twist, a subsequent statement released on Saturday announced a revised list, replacing Atuma with Barr. Emeka Nworgu (PhD) as Chairman.
According to sources, Atuma was the preferred candidate of the APC South East leadership headed by Governor Hope Uzodinma.
His name and other names from the South-East were submitted to the presidency and endorsed by Uzodinma-led South East APC leadership.
It was also gathered that the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Kalu lobbied the President to reshuffle the list and include his preferred candidates.
“There’s a supremacy battle going on about the appointments. The initial list containing Emeka Atuma’s name was submitted by Gov. Hope Uzodinma and the APC South East leadership, However, for unknown reasons, Benjamin Kalu influenced changes to the list to include his own candidates,” a source told SaharaReporters on the condition of anonymity.
The revised list was said to reflect the four candidates who were single handedly nominated by the Deputy Speaker while other stakeholders from the South East were exempted.
His nominees include Barr. Emeka Nworgu, Stanley Ohajuruka, Clifford Ogbede, and Toby Okechukwu, the Chief of Staff to the Deputy Speaker.
Earlier it was reported that Tinubu replaced the four individuals appointed to the board of the South-East Development Commission (SEDC).
SaharaReporters report that the president appointed Emeka Nworgu as the new chairman of the board, replacing Emeka Atuma.
The new executive director for finance is Stanley Ohajuruka, who replaced Anthony Ugbo in the first list. Toby Okechukwu is the new executive director of projects. He replaces Obinna Obiekweihe,” Onanuga said in a statement on Saturday.
“Chief Sylvester Okonkwo is now the executive director of corporate services, replacing Dr Daniel Ikechukwu Ugwuja. The two nominated executive directors without a portfolio are Chidi Echeazu and Dr Clifford Ogbede.”
The president retained Barr. Ugochukwu H. Agballah, Hon. Okey Ezenwa, Chief Hyacinth Ikpor, Barr. Ifeanyi Agwu, Nasiru Usman and Hamma Adama Ali Kumo. The other nominees retained are Edward David Onoja, Orure Kufre Inima and Chief (Mrs.) Joke Adebayo-Chukwuma.”
Onanuga had said that the appointments were subject to senate confirmation, adding that the president expects the nominees to execute the commission’s mandate and develop the south-east.
