BY: KEN EGEJURU
The unveiling of 17 Commissioner nominees by Imo State Governor, Emeka Ihedioha, is a mixed grill.
Analysts say the Governor’s nominations were balanced in the sense that he showed reward to core political loyalists who had rolled out drums of support which contributed to his emergence as Governor.
This also reflected in the manner of appointments he had made in the past by rewarding political footsoldiers through setting up several Commitees and Interim management Commitees for the 27 Local Governments.
The inclusion of Vin Udokwu and Hon.Chuma Nnaji in the list of Commissioners is certainly a reward for their undiluted support to the cause of realizing the 2019 guber project.
Udokwu a long time ally of former Governor Achike Udenwa was in charge of Ihedioha’s Governorship campaign.
Many had expected him to be appointed as Chief of Staff or Secretary to State Government considering his vast experience in administration and deep involvement in the coming on board of the present government.
Hon.Chuma Nnaji’s inclusion is no surprise. He has been a die hard loyalist of Ihedioha. In 2015, he was chosen as Deputy Governorship Candidate. He never was, as that journey ended in futility.
A former Majority Leader of Imo State House of Assembly, the ex Commissioner of Information is coming with a huge bag of executive and legislative mix.
His appointment is a clear case of reward for Loyalty and perseverance after losing out in the quest to become Deputy Governor in 2015.
The big surprise in the list is former Minister of Education, Prof Mrs. Viola Onwuliri.
There has been hoopla over her appointment which a school of thought consider to be “climbing down the ladder” for a mere commissioner job.
Sources close to her however contend that the erudite Professor is on a mission to join hands to salvage the State from the ruins it was plunged into by the past administration.
Onwuliri is not the first to climb down from Olympian heights to take up a “local appointment”
Prof Fabian Osuji was one time Minister of Education. After he was removed from office by then President Olusegun Obasanjo, Osuji came home to serve as Special Adviser to then Governor Rochas Okorocha on Education.
The overall perception about Ihedioha’s commissioner nominations is a mixed one with fewer women who made the cut.
Some experts in various of human endeavour were not left out which makes the nominations a mixed bag of professionals and politicians.
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