South East Development Commission: Trouble brews as Gov Uzodimma, Reps Deputy Speaker flex muscles over appointments

From Kenneth Udeh,  Abuja

The current face-off between Imo State governor, Hope Uzodimma and Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Rt Hon Benjamin Kalu took a fresh twist yesterday over appointments in the newly created South East Development Commission (SEDC).

President Tinubu’s decision to reshuffle his list of nominees within 24 hours of its release highlighted an intense power struggle between Governor Uzodimma and Deputy Speaker Kalu

It would be recalled that on Friday, President Tinubu through a statement by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, 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 Emeka Nworgu (PhD) as chairman.

Sources revealed that Atuma was the preferred candidate of the APC South East leadership headed by Governor Uzodimma.

His name and other names from the Southeast were submitted to the presidency and endorsed by Uzodimma-led South East APC leadership.

In defiance to Uzodimma’s position, it was gathered that the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Kalu swiftly lobbied the President to reshuffle the list and include their 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 Uzodimma 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 our correspondent on the condition of anonymity.

The revised list reportedly reflects that four candidates were single-handedly nominated by the Deputy Speaker while other stakeholders from the Southeast were exempted. His nominees include Barr. Emeka Nworgu, Stanley Ohajuruka, Clifford Ogbede, and Toby Okechukwu, the Chief of Staff to the Deputy Speaker, the source said.

As the power tussle continues, insiders said more surprises may arise before or during the Senate’s screening and confirmation of the nominees.