The recent establishment of the South East Development Commission (SEDC) has elicited hope of better days ahead in addressing infrastructural deficit in the region. However, political intrigues and attendant disputes trailing the composition of its Board are fueling doubts on the real purpose of the commission, LAWRENCE NJOKU reports.
When President Bola Tinubu signed the South East Development Commission (SEDC) into law, the region rejoiced, believing that many years of neglect by successive federal administrations, since the end of the Nigerian Civil War in 1970, were finally being addressed.
They saw this development as a crucial step towards healing the wounds of the civil war, and meeting the region’s special needs, which would ultimately accelerate the socio-economic development and lay the foundation for its infrastructural requirements.
Indeed, they had looked forward to the constitution of its board and management to enable the commission to begin its work. Part of what the commission would do when it takes off is to address the socio-economic challenges facing Anambra, Imo, Enugu, Abia, and Ebonyi states using the allocated funds from the federal government among other sources. It would also tackle ecological problems and any other related environmental or developmental shortfalls in the region.
To ensure the commission’s take off, the President recently nominated its board and management committee. Those he nominated are Emeka Nwogu as Chairman, while Stanley Ohajuruka serves as the Executive Director of Finance.
Others are: Toby Okechukwu as Executive Director (Projects), Sylvester Okonkwo, Executive Director (Corporate Services) and Chidi Echeazu and Clifford Ogbede as Executive Directors without portfolios, while Chief Mike Okoye is the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer.
Other members of the board include, Ugochukwu Agballah, Okey Ezenwa, Hyacinth Ikpor, Ifeanyi Agwu, Nasiru Usman, Hamma Adama, Ali Kumo, Edward Onoja, OrureInima and Mrs Joke Adebayo-Chukwuma.
However, while the Senate’s nod to the nominees is being awaited, there is already a raging anger in some circles against the composition of the membership. The contention over the political headship in the region between Imo State governor, Hope Uzodimma, and Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu (both of the All Progressives Congress) has crept into the nominations and membership of the commission.
Shortly after the President released the names, high-wired politics enveloped the landscape and in less than 24 hours, the presidency changed some names and retained others.
This is the source of the anger as the fresh list is believed to be skewed against Uzodimma’s men; but in favour of Kalu, hence the altercations that have trended since it was brought to the public glare.
The first list contained Emeka Atuma as Chairman (now replaced with Dr Emeka Nwogu), Anthony Ugbo as Director of Finance replaced by Stanley Ohajuruka, Obinna Obiekweihe replaced by Toby Okechukwu as Director of Projects and Slyvester Okonkwo replacing Daniel Ugwuja as Director Corporate Services.
Those angry with the fresh list accused Kalu of hijacking the Commission. They alleged that he nominated five members to the board, adding that those nominated were his personal staff.
APC National Vice Chairman in the Southeast region, Dr Ijeoma Ariodiogbu, complained that some members of the Commission were not members of the party, a development he insinuated could generate low morale among its members in the region.
In a letter addressed to President Tinubu, he alleged that the appointments were inconsistent with the act establishing the commission and accused Kalu of influencing a biased selection process.
He disclosed that two of the appointees were members of opposition parties, despite the availability of qualified technocrats within the ruling party and urged Tinubu to review those appointments and ensure they aligned with the act, prompting fairness and balance in the Commission’s leadership.
He said: “The Deputy Speaker is attempting to do exactly what we are all fighting against. He wants to monopolise the commission and treat it like a private enterprise.
“While it is acceptable to appoint your personal staff across different organisations, having five of them, all drawing salaries from your office, in a single organisation is akin to having a family of six managing a government agency.”
Meanwhile, Kalu has refused to join issues with those accusing him of manipulating the appointment of the commission members in his favour. He declined comments when asked to speak on the allegation.
But Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youths (ONY) has, however, risen to his defence describing the criticisms against him as selfish and baseless. President of the group, Okwu Nnabuike, stated that the majority of Igbos are happy with the nominations from the President and look forward to working with them.
He said: “We are alarmed over the recent criticisms of President Tinubu’s appointments of Board members of the SEDC.
“May we recall that the bill that saw to the establishment of that board was sponsored by the Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu. There is no doubt that Kalu is today the highest ranking Igbo person in government and, in fact, the number 6 man in the country. Having established this, we find it most annoying that some people are taking his calm disposition for granted.
“Assuming without conceding that he influenced the list, our question is, are the members of the Board not eminent Igbo sons and daughters? Contrary to the claims of those criticising the list, we have also observed that the list cuts across the entire five Southeast states. Where then, is the bias as alleged? It is obvious that those crying foul are merely doing so because their cronies were not appointed. They are not in any way protecting Igbo interests.”
The controversy heralding the operation of SEDC is already generating concerns among some residents who believe that unless addressed immediately might snowball into a major crisis that may mar the assignment of the intervention agency. They warned of the need to remove the Commission from politics to enable it serve the interest of the people. They insisted that the Commission through the creation of the APC government is not the property of the party, stressing that it should be owned by the people.
Executive Director of Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO), Ibuchukwu Ezike, cautioned against action that could make SEDC inoperative, asking those fanning the embers of discontent to rethink the generality of Igboland.
Speaking with The Guardian he said: “I had recommended before President Tinubu signed the act of SEDC that for it to succeed, he should ignore appointing politicians into the Board, otherwise they will mess it up as others because politicians are like soldiers in conquered territory. They plunder and loot wherever they find themselves for their primitive interest and not for communal interest and tomorrow. I recommended that men and women of integrity, trust and credibility from the civil society, religious community and private sector be considered rather than marauding politicians or allowing politicians to take charge of the situation.
“Judging from past experiences, we have seen how corrupt politicians have ruined the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and others. If you go to the Niger Delta today, you will weep uncontrollably because of the rot and ugly state of the region. Yet, there is a development agency working there and taking billions of naira yearly for development purposes. In the North East, what has the Commission done there with respect to Boko Haram devastation and destruction and even the latest flood surge that sacked communities in the area and turned the zone into an IDP region? Do politicians think about the welfare of others and reconstruction of a dilapidated area?
“No, they would rather share the money and allow the place to suffer. I am not comfortable with the number of politicians appointed into this board. I think it is a mockery of Ndigbo. We now have a development commission, but we can’t put our acts together and redeem our place. We know credible men and women who if appointed into the Commission will do a good job and make Ndigbo proud but they cannot get the opportunity to serve. It is sad.”
An activist, Uchechukwu Okafor, stated that the rumbling in the Commission over appointment is an indication that the place has little or nothing to offer Ndigbo, urging the people of the region not to expect anything tangible from the arrangement.
He said, “When you hear complaints of this nature about whether the person appointed is a member of the ruling party or not as well as those who nominated them, know that the baseline is all about interest. It is about the money allocated yearly for the activities of the Commission and the sharing formula. I pity those who have prayed for a SEDC. It may turn out like any other institution or project of the federal government in the region.” she stated.
Founding National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Chekwas Okorie, who admitted knowledge of the contention between Governor Uzodimma and Deputy Speaker Kalu over the composition of the commission, stated that President Tinubu’s decision on the matter remains final.
“It is important to me that SEDC has come to stay. I have heard this story about Hon. Kalu and Governor Uzodimma flexing muscles about who will constitute this body. As far as I am concerned, it is the prerogative of the President to appoint people. If some names were mentioned earlier and eventually the President changes his mind and mentions some other names, it is his prerogative. I am not quite conversant with the earlier names mentioned but as far as these ones were widely published, they are young men of Southeast origin who have pedigree and are conversant with the situation in Igboland. I have no doubt in my mind that they will make all the necessary consultations, know precisely the areas to emphasise in carrying out their duties,” he said.
He added that though such contentions at times impact the organisation negatively, he however, tasked the members to live above mundane interests and work for the emancipation of the Southeast region.
He said: “This is the very first time since 1970 that the federal government is taking out time to address one of the three R’s that General Gowon promised the Igbo people of Nigeria after the war and that is in the area of Reconstruction, Rehabilitation and Reconciliation. This one will address the issue of reconstruction. It is stated clearly in the act that part of their responsibility is to address the infrastructural deficiencies that the Southeast suffered as a result of the civil war. It was specifically mentioned there and the atrocities are legion because there has never been any real federal presence in the Southeast.”
