Some stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the Southeast have commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for ensuring that the South-East Development Commission (SEDC) became a reality by signing it into law.
The stakeholders in their separate opinions passed a vote of confidence on the proposed leadership of the Commission as nominated by the President.
Recall that Tinubu nominated a 16-man list of leadership for the SEDC with Mr Mark Okoye as Managing Director, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Emeka Nworgu as Chairman.
Okoye is former two-term Commissioner and current MD/CEO of the Anambra State Investment Promotion and Protection Agency while Nworgu is a former Minister of Labour and Productivity.
On his part, Chief Paul Chukwuma, an aspirant in the 2025 Anambra governorship election in the platform of APC said the nominations had proven the President’s commitment to fulfilling his renewed agenda.
Chukwuma who is the immediate past National Auditor of the APC said Tinubu was pursuing his goal even though it required working with people across party lines.
He said, “It is the prerogative of the President to appoint who he wishes, before now, we complained of marginalisation; we now have a development commission with very competent people who can ensure it works.
“This is not politics, when elections come, that will be a different ball game.
“I applaud Mr President and look forward to what the leadership will do in this region.”
In a similar development, Pharm. Chinedu Klinsmann, a prominent chieftain of the APC, described the nominations as a “visionary and inclusive decision that prioritises excellence”.
Klinsmann said as one who had championed the establishment of the SEDC and its role in regional development, he believed it was in the best interests of the region to have competent and forward-thinking individuals.
He said the criteria were met by the candidates nominated President Tinubu.
“This decision underscores his statesmanship and dedication to merit-based appointments,” he said.
In a related development, Hon. Sam Onuigbo, a member of the Governing Board of the North East Development Commission (NEDC), also applauded the President on the constitution of the SEDC board.
Onuigbo who is the Chairperson of the Security, Climate Change, and Special Interventions Committee said, “In all honesty, President Tinubu deserves special thanks from the people of the Southeast for signing the SEDC bill and constituting its leadership.
He said it had shown commitment to addressing the wounds of the past and restoring trust.”
The former two-term Federal lawmaker of Ikwuano/Umuahia North and Umuahia South Federal Constituency extolled the proposed leadership, led by Nworgu and Okoye.
He expressed confidence in their ability to restore the Southeast to its historic reputation as one of the fastest-growing economies.