By Chimaobi Afiauwa, Abuja
The controversy surrounding appointments to the South East Development Commission (SEDC) board by President Bola Tinubu shows no signs of abating anytime soon, MUK TV exclusively reports.
A source familiar with the situation informed MUK TV that the vagaries of President Tinubu’s decision to reshuffle his list of nominees within 24 hours of its release highlight an intense power struggle between South East leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the National Assembly leadership.
Recall that on Friday, the President, 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 Barr. Emeka Nworgu (PhD) as Chairman.
Party Leadership Vs. National Assembly Influence
Sources revealed that Atuma was the preferred candidate of the APC South East leadership.
His name had been submitted to the presidency and endorsed by the South East Zonal Chairman, the APC Deputy National Chairman (South).
Additionally, South East APC governors, Hope Uzodimma (Imo) and Francis Nwifuru (Ebonyi), had backed Atuma’s nomination.
Key Appointments In The Reshuffled List
Contrary to the party’s position, it is alleged that presiding officers of the National Assembly, particularly the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, and Senate President Godswill Akpabio, 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 the party and supported by its South East leadership. However, for political reasons, some presiding officers of the National Assembly influenced changes to the list to include their own candidates,” a source told our correspondent on the condition of anonymity.
The revised list reportedly reflects these changes. Barr. Emeka Nworgu is backed by Deputy Speaker Kalu, while Sylvester Okoronkwo, now listed as Executive Director of Corporate Services, is supported by Senate President Akpabio. Okoronkwo is also the Chief of Staff to Akpabio.
Other nominees influenced by Kalu and Akpabio include Stanley Ohajuruka, Clifford Ogbede, and Toby Okechukwu, the Chief of Staff to the Deputy Speaker.
Uncertainty Looms
As the power tussle continues, insiders suggest more surprises may arise during the Senate’s screening and confirmation of nominees.
“With the nominees not yet confirmed, expect more surprises. The heavyweights will keep pulling strings until the last moment,” another National Assembly source told MUK TV.
