By Imo Thomas – Umuahia.
The Coalition of South East Youth Leaders (COSEYL), the apex socio political youth group in the South East zone, appreciates the Commander-in-Chief and President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 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 commendable move by Mr. President. However, a situation where one person hijacks the process and nominates only his aides to the SEDC board will ultimately undermine the President’s good intentions.
The group expressed this concern in a press statement signed by Comrade Goodluck Ibem and Comrade Okey Nwaoru, the President-General and Publicity Secretary respectively, and made available to our reporter in Umuahia on Friday.
The group noted that in the recent SEDC appointments, Imo and Ebonyi states were left out among the five SEDC Executive Directors with portfolios, which is 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 made by the Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu,” the group stated.
Dr. Emeka Nwogu was nominated as the Board Chairman, Hon. Mark C. Okoye as the Commission’s Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Stanley Ohajuruka as the Executive Director of Finance, Toby Okechukwu as the Executive Director of Projects, and Chief Sylvester Okonkwo as the Executive Director of Corporate Services. Imo and Ebonyi states were left out 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 as executive directors with portfolios, while Imo and Ebonyi states were excluded.
“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. However, a situation where one person hijacks the process will jeopardize the good intentions that 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 and Ebonyi states, as well as other stakeholders, will be carried along in compliance with the act establishing the commission.
“We are confident that the President is a man who believes in the tenets of democracy and will do the needful to address the situation,” the group concluded.
