From Stanley Uzoaru, Owerri
Igbo youths under the aegis of the Coalition South East Youth Leaders (COSEYL) has urged President Ahmed Tinubu to include Imo and Ebonyi states as executive directors in the recent appointment of the South East Development Commission (SEDC).
President General of the Igbo youth group, Goodluck Ibem said the appointment would have been laudable if it is not lopsided.
The group said it appreciated the efforts of the President for establishing SEDC but added that it can also be meaningless if it is hijacked by a section of politicians. He also maintained that stakeholders from the South East were not being carried along in the process.
“We appreciate President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for establishing the South East Development Commission, SEDC, to accelerate the development of the zone.
“The establishment of the SEDC is a good move by Mr President but a situation where one person hijacks the process and nominates only his aides into the SEDC board will end up destroying the good intentions of the President.
“In the recent SEDC appointment, Imo and Ebonyi states were left behind among the five SEDC executive Directors with portfolios which are not in compliance with the act establishing the commission.
“Stakeholders of the South East zone were not carried along which is against the tenets of democracy. The nominations as presently constituted were all nominated by the Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu.
“Dr Emeka Nwogu was nominated as the Board Chairman, Mark C. Okoye was nominated as the commission’s Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, The Executive Director for Finance is Stanley Ohajuruka, Toby Okechukwu is the executive director of projects. Chief Sylvester Okonkwo is the executive director of corporate services. Imo and Ebonyi states were left behind among the executive directors with portfolios.
“The Deputy Speaker deceived the president into announcing a lopsided appointment in which five of his personal staff were appointed executive directors with portfolios while Imo and Ebonyi states were left behind.
“One man cannot say let us go as the saying goes.
“The aim of establishing the SEDC is to drive home the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Tinubu to the nooks and crannies of the zone. But a situation where one person hijacks the process will jeopardize the good intentions which the commission brings.
“It smacks of corruption for one person to nominate those under his employ to run a government agency meant for the development of the entire South East States.
“We appeal to Mr. President to review the nominations as presently constituted and reconstitute the Board so that Imo, Ebonyi States and stakeholders will be carried along in compliance with the acts establishing the commission.
“We are confident that the President is a man that believes in the tenets of democracy and he will do the needful to address the situation,” Ibem said.