APC might lose voters to lopsided appointments – S’East nationwide vice chair

Nationwide Vice Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, South East, Dr Ijeomah Arodiogbu, speaks with DANIEL AYANTOYE on the controversy trailing the appointment of the board and administration of the South East Improvement Fee and the insinuation that the Igbo are being marginalised by the President Bola Tinubu administration

You lately wrote a letter to President Bola Tinubu expressing concern over the composition and administration of the South East Improvement Fee. May you present an replace on the matter?

There may be a lot misplaced data on the South East Improvement Fee subject. First, the individuals linked to having sponsored the invoice weren’t those that sponsored it. The invoice for establishing the fee was initially sponsored within the ninth Meeting by Senator Samuel Anyanwu of the Peoples Democratic Party. The invoice went via the first and 2nd studying within the ninth Meeting however was not signed into regulation by former President Muhammadu Buhari. Nonetheless, on this tenth Meeting, the late Senator Ifeayin Ubah moved the invoice for approval by the Nationwide Meeting. He thereafter went with among the meeting members from the South-East to the Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodinma, who was additionally the Chairman of Progressive Governors, to current the invoice formally to him as chief of the zone, in order that the governor may enchantment to the President to assent to the invoice. Governor Uzodinma labored on it and the President signed the invoice into regulation. The President additionally magnanimously needed the fee to take off instantly, so he appointed the board and administration virtually inside a couple of months of signing the invoice.

The President made his session and made attainable enter. Then he requested the leaders of the zone to go forward and seek the advice of different stakeholders within the area to have a variety within the board and administration of the fee. There was a number of session with all of the leaders: myself because the zonal chairman; the APC Deputy Nationwide Chairman of the South, Chief Emma Eneukwu, the 2 governors from the area, the ministers, together with the Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, and the Nationwide Meeting members from the zone had been all consulted. I keep in mind that Governor Uzodinma additionally referred to as the deputy speaker to provide his enter. All of us met and agreed, and we had been very cautious to adjust to the act establishing the fee.

The act states that the chairman of the fee will emerge from the state with the primary alphabetical order; by extension, the chairman was zoned to Abia State. Additionally, the Act states that the Managing Director will come from the state with the subsequent alphabetical order, Anambra State. The opposite chief government ought to come from the opposite three states. All these provisions had been complied with within the checklist we submitted. Consistent with that, we nominated Mike Okoye as Managing Director, Prince Obinna Obiekweihe as Govt Director Tasks, Senator Anthony Agbo and Dr Daniel Ugwuja as Govt Administrators, Company Providers. For the board, we nominated Hon Emeka Atuma as chairman, and members had been Ugochuckwu Agballah, Okey Ezenwa, Chief Hyacinth Ikpor, Donatus Nwankpa and Ifeanyi Agwu. That was very balanced throughout the southeastern states. We additionally consulted the opposite 5 geopolitical zones for his or her illustration, they usually gave us their nominations. The checklist was submitted with the signatures of Governor Hope Uzodinma; Governor Francis Nwifuru, Chief Emma Eneukwu and mine to the president. Inside a month of submission, the president introduced the board and members of the board and administration of the fee. However lower than 12 hours later, there was one other checklist with a report that the primary one introduced by the president had been rejigged. We checked the checklist and seen {that a} single individual from the Home of Representatives had inputted 5 of his aides into it.

How may which have occurred with out the consent of Governor Hope Uzodinma, the chief of the area?

The Home of Reps member did that with out Governor Uzodinma’s consent. There are essential infrastructure and areas that we wish to unfold throughout all sections of the area, not for a single individual to take 5 of that to his facet. It’s actually unfair. A number of funds might be dedicated to the challenge, and if one man is allowed to take all of the positions for himself, then your guess is nearly as good as mine. Additionally they created some positions which are exterior the fee’s act, to make some appointments that by no means existed, with a view to amend the act later. What stage of lawlessness is that?

What are the implications of those reported lopsided appointments for the APC within the South East forward of the subsequent elections?

This may have an effect on the President as a result of lots of people within the zone are very sad. The reality is that we might lose most of our voters. Most of our celebration supporters are “boiling”. In reality, someone who contested for Home of Representatives in Anambra State was threatening to depart the celebration, as a result of he was disillusioned in what occurred. The individuals are not comfortable. The key threat that it portends is that the cash that might be voted for the fee might be taken by one man, and that’s the main goal. There might be no accountability as a result of they may all be answerable to at least one particular person. I’m very apprehensive about this stage of interference. His chief of employees and 4 different aides, together with the chief of employees to a former senate president got appointment into the SEDC. As a celebration chief, I would like equity. The leaders need to have enter. I feel the president was not well-advised. The deputy speaker lied to him that he was not consulted. However considered one of our leaders mentioned he was with the governor of Imo State when he referred to as the deputy speaker. This stage of conceitedness or cockiness just isn’t truthful in any respect. It doesn’t enchantment to any good reasoning.

Some individuals have argued that the place the appointees come from just isn’t as vital as the power of the fee to satisfy its main goal of driving improvement within the area. Do you agree with this?

The reality is that, in the environment, geographical unfold is essential. The individuals we nominated initially are way more certified than the individuals appointed now. In fact, somebody who has labored all his life as an aide to a member of Home of Representatives can’t be as certified as someone who has been throughout. We nominated extremely certified individuals in schooling and different sectors. We thought of all that earlier than making the nomination. So, it isn’t a case of being extra certified. No! These individuals are much less certified; they had been picked as a result of they’re serving one man. How do I anticipate accountability from such? I consider one of the best factor to do is to return to the unique checklist which was finished with session of all of the individuals not the deputy audio system’ checklist. He can search for the place to place his aides if he’s bored with them, not embrace them in a fee that’s meant to serve the individuals. We want a number of help within the South East with all the problems of dangerous highway, water and insecurity. We can’t put the South East Improvement Fee within the pocket of 1 man. It isn’t truthful. We recognize that it’s on the discretion of the president to nominate who he needs, however I do know that he wouldn’t wish to put the fee within the pocket of 1 man.

There are perceptions that President Tinubu’s administration is repeating the lopsided appointments of the Buhari period. Do you agree with this sentiment?

I don’t agree with that. My focus now could be on the South East Improvement Fee and I consider that inside a brief interval, different appointments might be launched and my geographical zone might be adequately accommodated.

Do you assume the South East has been nicely captured in different appointments made by the president?

Properly, we will’t cease asking for extra. We’re Oliver Twist. We are going to recognize extra.

There have been controversies on some appointments made by the president on the Nnamdi Azikiwe University. What’s your view on that?

I adopted the problems keenly however an Igbo conventional music says in English: “O king, don’t base your judgement on what you heard from one facet. My king, for those who pay attention to 2 sides, it is possible for you to to provide a extra balanced judgement and folks will love you for that.” The president appointed a council with all of the powers to signify the president within the college. The council marketed for 2 positions, the registrar and the vice-chancellor. There have been lots of people with totally different opinions. As an illustration, the Nigerian medical and dental consultants mentioned that they had been marginalised as a result of the adverts said {that a} advisor’s fellowship just isn’t equal to Ph.D. I’m a medical physician with Ph.D and I do know {that a} fellowship just isn’t the identical as a Ph.D. There may be additionally a authorities white paper that claims {that a} fellowship just isn’t the identical as a Ph.D. So, some individuals went to courtroom to problem that advert, conversing that comradeship is equal to Ph.D. A fellowship is to fine-tune your abilities in a selected space as a medical physician. Over time, we medical docs have been given a delicate touchdown on the best way to get a Ph.D from a fellowship. I feel it’s a two-year programme or so. Now, some individuals have gone to courtroom to problem that place, and the commercial courtroom gave a ruling {that a} Ph.D is totally different from a fellowship.

For somebody to be appointed as vice-chancellor of a college, he might want to have a Ph.D as a result of he might be empowered to confer that Ph.D on some individuals. You’ll be able to’t give what you don’t have. So, the commercial courtroom dominated that the council ought to go forward with the appointment course of as marketed. The council chairman went forward with the choice based mostly on the courtroom’s ruling and appointed a registrar and vice-chancellor. However in spite of everything the problems, it was posted on social media that that they had been sacked. What sort of scenario is that? There was no panel of enquiries arrange by the council to ask the individual concerned for protection.

Nnamdi Kanu has been in detention present process trial for years. Why is it tough for the South East leaders to foyer the president for his launch, regardless of widespread calls from stakeholders?

I’ve been studying numerous articles on the social media. I do know the problem is earlier than the courtroom. I don’t wish to delve right into a matter that’s already within the courtroom. However I do know that efforts are being made and the president is giving it a listening ear.

Some individuals consider there’s a deliberate assault on the South East, accusing Igbo leaders within the APC of being complicit resulting from their silence. What’s your tackle this?

I don’t assume anyone is attacking Igbos. The Igbos are very peculiar and excellent individuals. Some issues may appeal to some stage of confusion by individuals, however I don’t assume anyone is attacking them. I feel that we, the Igbos, ought to deal with what we’re doing greatest. We’re enterprise individuals. We must always focus strongly on constructing an incredible regional financial system. With the nice work that Governor Hope Uzodinma is doing, if our waterways grids are good, we will obtain our items as importers and create sufficient vitality to drive our industries and naturally, safety. That’s what we’d like essentially the most. I consider that a number of consultations are occurring in that route, and the South East Improvement Fee is definitely created to help in these areas. We don’t rely a lot on politics however on insurance policies that can allow us to thrive in our God-given expertise. We’re gifted individuals and we aren’t pretending about it. We’re hardworking individuals; all over the place we go, we make one thing out of the setting. We’re solely pleading with our brothers who’ve some grievances towards the system to interrogate points higher, and we’d like additional negotiation with the administration. That’s our accountability, not that we’re complicit or that we’re promoting out on our individuals, no. We consider that negotiation is vital and that’s our function.

There are insinuations that President Bola Tinubu’s son would be the APC flagbearer in Lagos. Do you assume the Igbo group in Lagos will assist him, contemplating the problem of tribalism?

The Igbo individuals are not tribalistic. Within the final election, it wasn’t about Igbo towards any individuals. No. We don’t play that sport. The reality is that Igbo individuals in Lagos are doing their enterprise and dealing very arduous. In regards to the president’s son operating for governorship, he has not informed anyone that he needed to run for governorship. There isn’t any public declaration and when he does, I feel this query might be higher directed to my colleague from the South West, (Isaac) Kekemeke. In the meantime, I feel the younger man has labored arduous for the celebration and this administration. In the course of the presidential election marketing campaign, he was virtually all over the place. So, I don’t assume being the president’s son ought to be an obstacle to him. I’m not campaigning for him as a result of I’m not going to vote in Lagos however my evaluation and based mostly on our widespread buddies, is constructive.

There are experiences that opposition events are planning a merger to problem President Tinubu. Do you see them defeating APC in 2027?

I don’t see them defeating APC in 2027. I examine these merger talks by among the events however these events are already crumbling. The PDP is nearly non-existent and virtually all of the legislators of the Labour Party have defected to APC. Even the one governor they’ve, within the final native authorities election, moved all of the state chairmen to Zenith Labour Party which is a really clear indication that he’s not with the LP anymore. All these items are transferring in direction of the benefit of APC. I don’t see them placing any drive collectively to take energy from APC.

How will you react to the report that the APC and President Tinubu are fueling disaster in a few of these main opposition events, particularly the PDP?

What do you anticipate them to say? They’re simply saying what’s pure which is guilty the subsequent man on your issues. You aren’t fixing your inner drawback however to cross the blame. It’s a blame sport and an excuse for failure. The individuals are seeing good management in President Tinubu and that’s the reason they’re becoming a member of us. The issue in PDP is certain to occur however I don’t assume it’s simply in regards to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike. The FCT minister is doing an incredible job in FCT and that’s clear to everyone. No matter is occurring in River State just isn’t my name to debate and I don’t see how that has change into the mandate of President Bola TInubu. We’re not anticipating something totally different from what is occurring in Labour Party as a result of we all know that their presidential candidate was loaned participant for the match, and the participant doesn’t have the capability to provide again to the platform. So, their individuals are disgruntled and that’s not Tinubu’s drawback however theirs. Within the legal guidelines of migration, there’s a push issue and a pull issue. If the pull issue is stronger than the push issue, individuals will transfer. That’s what is occurring.

Folks is not going to agree with you that President Tinubu is doing nicely due to the present hardship. How do you deal with their notion?

A reformist just isn’t an individual who the individuals clap for as a result of reforms include some stringent measures. A few of us who’ve studied the system from 1999 until date know that President Tinubu’s administration is doing all the pieces vital to save lots of Nigeria. All reforms he’s introducing are essential, in any other case the nation would have been down. When you verify all improvement indicators, you will note that he’s doing so nicely. Sure, costs of commodities are up, however the indices are there that this is able to propel improvement and might be leveled up over time. I requested a nephew from the U.S, that from the tales you’re listening to, have you ever seen anyone consuming from the dustbin? We all know issues should not straightforward, however these measures are a should. It is sort of a aircraft that’s taking off and you’re informed to tighten your seatbelt as a result of there might be turbulence, however while you get to the altitude, issues will stabilise and that’s the scenario. The political class is aware of. Sure, we perceive that the populace might not be conscious of what’s going on and a few opposition are mendacity to them in regards to the scenario. Allow them to (opposition) proffer options to this administration. Any totally different method on this circumstance from what President Tinubu is doing would collapse our financial system.

The Anambra State governorship election is scheduled for November 2025. The APC misplaced the state over the last election. Do you consider your celebration will carry out higher this time round?

We consider that we’re going to win Anambra state. We consider that in 2025, the state authorities home might be occupied by an APC member, and the flag of our celebration might be up within the state. We consider very strongly.

Within the final election, we had our misgivings. The aspirants didn’t come collectively to assist the individuals as a result of there was no enough reconciliation after the first. That isn’t going to occur this time. We have now allowed all of the aspirants to converse, seek the advice of, and have a free and truthful main election. Then, above all, I consider that the individuals had been very a lot expectant of the efficiency of a professor of economics, who speaks superb grammar. However the Anambra individuals have seen that it isn’t grammar that runs the federal government. They’ve seen that in all areas of efficiency, the present administration in has failed woefully, and the governor has not been capable of handle his relationship with all of the essential stakeholders within the state. He’s quarreling with the standard rulers, market ladies, and commerce organisations. He’s quarreling with the church and everyone as a result of he believes he is aware of all of it and he doesn’t take anyone’s recommendation. However you’ll be able to’t intimidate Anambra individuals, as a result of there’s a billionaire in each household. So, you can not purchase them with cash. What they want from you is respect and good governance. So, any candidate who information for the election will beat Professor Soludo, I can inform you that at no cost.

Daniel Ayantoye