Ohanaeze youths defend Kalu over SEDC board appointments Hon. Benjamin Kalu, over the composition of board members of the South-East Development Commission (SEDC) as unnecessary.
The appointments, announced by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, have stirred opposition, particularly from the South-East chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), led by Dr. Ijeomah Arodiogbu. The APC accused the Deputy Speaker of influencing the appointments in a manner that allegedly violated the SEDC Act.
While reacting to the development in a statement, the National President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide, Mazi Okwu Nnabuike, described the criticisms as selfish and baseless.
He emphasized that the majority of Ndigbo are satisfied with the appointments, which he noted are inclusive of all five South-East states.
He said: “The majority of the Igbos are happy with the nomination from the president and look forward to working with these ones that will bring the development strides of the president to the grassroots without anyone hijacking the credit.
“Others aggrieved should establish their own state development commission, like Abia state did, and other states, and leave the president alone to do his job.
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“We therefore urge the Senate to kindly screen and approve them as soon as possible because there’s lots of work to be done, and the budget is by the corner. Any delay will cause the Igbos a lot.”
The youth organization said the vast majority of Ndigbo are pleased with the list, urging the Senate to approve it as quickly as possible.
Okwu, who said the Board members are eminent Igbo sons and daughters, described the criticisms as unnecessary distractions.
He added, “We are alarmed over the recent criticisms of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s appointment of Board members of the South-East Development Commission, SEDC.
“May we recall that the bill that saw to the establishment of that Board was sponsored by the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu.
“There is no doubt that Rt. Hon. 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 criticizing the list, we have also observed that the list cuts across the entire five South-East 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 projecting Igbo interest.”
Okwu thanked President Tinubu for appointing eminent Igbo sons and daughters to the Board and urged the Senate to expedite their screening and approval.
