President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s swift reshuffle of nominees for the South East Development Commission (SEDC) within 24 hours has exposed an escalating power tussle between Imo State Governor Hope Uzodinma and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu.
On Friday, Tinubu unveiled the initial list of nominees through a statement by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, naming Hon. Emeka Atuma as Chairman of the SEDC board. However, by Saturday, a revised list was released, replacing Atuma with Barr. Emeka Nworgu (PhD) as Chairman, sparking speculation about internal conflicts.
Sources indicate to SaharaReporters that the original list reflected the preferences of the All Progressives Congress (APC) South East leadership, led by Governor Uzodinma, who had endorsed Atuma and other nominees from the region.
However, Deputy Speaker Kalu reportedly lobbied for a reshuffle, successfully pushing for his preferred candidates.
“There’s a supremacy battle going on about the appointments. The initial list containing Emeka Atuma’s name was submitted by Gov. Hope Uzodinma and the APC South East leadership, However, for unknown reasons, Benjamin Kalu influenced changes to the list to include his own candidates,” a source told disclosed on the condition of anonymity.
The revised list reportedly includes four individuals nominated solely by Kalu, sidelining other South East stakeholders.
These nominees are Barr. Emeka Nworgu as Chairman, Stanley Ohajuruka as Executive Director of Finance, Clifford Ogbede as Executive Director, and Toby Okechukwu, Kalu’s Chief of Staff, as Executive Director of Projects.
President Tinubu’s revised list also made adjustments to other positions on the board. Notably, Anthony Ugbo, Obinna Obiekweihe, and Dr. Daniel Ikechukwu Ugwuja were replaced in their respective roles, while several other nominees were retained.
The appointments remain subject to Senate confirmation.