The All Progressives Congress (APC) has in a letter written to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu observed lopsidedness orchestrated by the Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu in the appointments recently made in the newly created South East Development Commission (SEDC).

The letter signed by the National Vice Chairman, APC South East Zone, Dr Ijeomah Arodiogbu made available to the press on Wednesday, conveyed appreciation to the president for the developmental strides extended to the South East including the approval of SEDC.

The letter however expressed dissatisfaction over the composition of the board and management of the commission and revealed that the appointment did not reflect the Act that established the commission.

The party accused the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon Benjamin Kalu of misleading the president into announcing a lopsided appointment in which five of his personal staff were appointed while Imo and Ebonyi were left behind

The five staff of the Deputy Speaker and nominees are as follows: Emeka Wogu (chairman of the Board), Stanley Ohajuruka(Executive Director for Finance), Toby Okechukwu (Executive Director of Projects and serving Chief of Staff to the Deputy Speaker) Dr. Clifford Ogbede( Board Member), Daniel Akwari ( Board member).

Currently, Toby Okechukwu a former Minority Leader of the House of Representatives serves as the Deputy Speaker?s Chief of Staff while Daniel Akwari serves as his senior personal Assistant and Others serve in various capacities.

Similarly, some members of the House of Representatives have accused the Deputy Speaker of hatching an ulterior motive by appointing 5 of his personal staff into one organization, adding that the intention is to have total control of the commission against the demands of the act of the commission.

Anonymously speaking on behalf of the other members of the green chambers, the Deputy Speaker was accused of abandoning the advice of colleagues and that of the party who in their wisdom equitably shared the positions to the five South East states and in line with the Act of the Commission

?The Deputy Speaker is trying to do what we are all preaching against. He wants to hijack the commission and treat it like a private company. It is okay to appoint your personal staff in different organizations but having five of your personal staff that receives salary from your office in one organization is as good as having a family of six run a government agency.

?This is the kind of greed we all should stand up against. He should be investigated and probed and if found guilty, he should leave public service. We won?t allow such mindsets to lead us because it?s devious and detrimental to a democratic society.?

The party In the letter addressed to the President also raised concern on the appointment of the Managing Director of the commission whom it was revealed belonged to the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).

About two others, the party also alleged were from the opposition party when there are numerous qualified technocrats from the ruling party. The party noted that this action may lead to a cast of doubts on the supporters of the APC in the South East.

The party appealed to the president to review the nominations and address the matter by ensuring compliance with the Act. (Daily Sun)

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