Ex-Tinubu’s Campaigner Faults Criticisms Against SEDC Appointments
Sunday Aborisade in Abuja
A former South-east Zonal Coordinator of the All Progressives Congress/Bola Tinubu Presidential Campaign Council, Mr. Elton Onwu, has faulted alleged criticisms of the National Vice-Chairman of the party in the South-east, Dr. Ijeomah Arodiogbu, against the South East Development Commission (SEDC) board appointments.
Onwu, in a statement in Abuja on Sunday, described Arodiogbu’s alleged claims as “grossly misleading” and “baseless”.
Arodiogbu had, in a media report, alleged that some “appointees to the SEDC are unqualified”.
He was specifically reported to have alleged that Chief Emeka Wogu, a former Minister of Labour and Productivity, and Hon. Stanley Ohajuruka, a two-time former Speaker of a state House of Assembly, were not qualified for their respective positions.
However, Onwu, described the claims as false and challenged Arodiogbu to produce evidence to support his claims especially the fact that Wogu and Ohajuruka are personal aides of Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Okezie Kalu.
“They are not personal aides of the Deputy Speaker,” Onwu clarified.
He also corrected Arodiogbu’s claims that the late Senator Ifeanyi Ubah sponsored the SEDC bill.
He said: “The actual SEDC bill, sponsored by Deputy Speaker Kalu, was received by the Senate with the number HB626 and was assented to by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“The list of nominees approved by President Tinubu reflects a diverse representation from the five states of the South-east.
“The nominees include notable individuals such as Hon. Mark C. Okoye, Managing Director (MD) (Anambra); Dr. Emeka Wogu, Chairman (Abia); Sylvester Okonkwo, Executive Director, Corporate Affairs (Anambra), and Toby Okechukwu, Executive Director, Projects (Enugu).
“Others are Anthony Agbo, Executive Director, Infrastructure (Ebonyi); Dr. Clifford Ogbede, Executive Director, Agriculture (Imo); Stanley Ohajuruka, Executive Director, Finance (Abia); Barr. Ugochukwu Agballah (Enugu); Hon. Okey Ezenwa (Anambra) and Chief Hyacinth Ikpor (Ebony).
“They also included Chidi Echeazu (Anambra); Barr. Ifeanyi Agwu (Imo); Nasiru Usman (North-west); Hamman Adamu AG Kumo (North-east); Edward David Onoja (North-central); Orure Kufre Inima (South-south); Daniel Akwari (Abia) and Joke Adebayo-Chukwuma (South-west).”
Onwu further faulted the allegations against Kalu, the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, that he nominated the appointees to the SEDC board.
According to him, “Surprisingly, Arodiogbu does not seem to know that the Deputy Speaker does not possess the constitutional powers to make nominations to the board of any government agency, including the SEDC. This responsibility lies solely with the Presidency.”
He said the South East Development Commission (SEDC) was established to address the developmental challenges facing the South-east region.
He added that the commission is expected to play a crucial role in promoting economic growth, infrastructure development and social welfare in the region.
He added that the appointment of the SEDC board members has been widely commended by stakeholders in the South-east, who see it as a significant step towards the development of the region.
