The South East chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has raised concerns over appointments to the South East Development Commission (SEDC),
The appointments had reportedly caused unrest among party stakeholders in the zone, who are now urging President Bola Tinubu to revisit the appointments.
In a letter signed by Dr. Ijeomah Arodiogbu, APC National Vice Chairman for the South East, the party commended President Tinubu for his focus on regional development, particularly for approving SEDC.
However, they expressed disappointment over what they described as a skewed and non-compliant selection of the commission’s board and management.
The letter specifically accused the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, of influencing the appointments to serve personal interests.
According to the APC South East, five of Kalu’s personal staff were selected, sidelining representatives from Imo and Ebonyi states.
This, they argued, contravened the SEDC Act, which mandates equitable representation of all South East states.
Sources within the party revealed that the President’s initial list for the commission was discarded in favour of a new one heavily influenced by Mr Kalu.
Some party members had also alleged that the Deputy Speaker acted unilaterally, ignoring input from his colleagues and the party.
“This is not just about favoritism but a blatant disregard for equity and the collective vision of the party,” one top party member who chose to remain anonymous, stated.
Adding to the controversy, the APC South East disclosed that two of the appointees are from opposition parties, a decision they believe undermines the credibility and loyalty of qualified APC technocrats in the zone.
They warned that such appointments could alienate party supporters in the South East, already struggling for stronger representation in the ruling party.
Dr. Arodiogbu’s letter also noted that the uneven distribution of appointments risks derailing the party’s efforts to consolidate support in the region.
“How do we justify this to our loyal members when even the opposition is better represented than states like Imo and Ebonyi?” the letter queried.
The tension within the party has grown since the announcement of the appointments, with lawmakers and stakeholders of the party in the zone demanding transparency and adherence to the SEDC Act
. “This is a serious issue that could erode confidence in the party’s leadership if not addressed promptly,” a party insider told this newspaper
Amid the backlash, the South East APC has appealed to President Tinubu to reconsider the appointments and ensure fairness in line with the law.
“We believe the President’s intervention can restore confidence and foster unity within the party,” Arodiogbu stated.
