All progressive Congress (APC) Anambra state chapter has written to President Bola Tinubu, appealing to him to reconsider replacing Hon. Mark Okoye, a card carrying member of All Progressives Grand Alliance ( APGA) and Managing Director nominee of the newly created South East Development Commission( SEDC) with an APC member from Anambra State

The letter delivered to President Tinubu on Thursday and copied to the Senate President and Chairman Senate Screening Committee was signed by the Anambra state Chairman of APC Hon. Sir Basil Ejidike (JP) and State Secretary Engr Chidi Oji.

The letter is coming on the heels of the National Vice Chairman, APC South East Zone, Dr Ijeomah Arodiogbu’s appeal to the President, pleading with the president to withdraw the SEDC nominees as it failed to meet the requirements of the SEDC Acts. He accused the Deputy Speaker House of Representatives, Rt Hon. Benjamin Kalu of deceiving the president to approve the list in which five of Kalu’s personal staff were nominees. The party alleged that it’s indecent to allow a family to run a government organization , arguing that it would lead to seizure of the commission and massive unaccountability. He also called the attention of the president on the neglect of Ebonyi and Imo states as the Deputy Speaker shortchanged the states with his nominees.

The Anambra APC commended the President for constituting the Management Board of the SEDC and as well congratulated him on the successes recorded through the government’s bold and unprecedented policies, which according to the party “ are currently beginning to positively and sustainably affect the lives of Nigerians”

Part of the letter reads below: “Sir, we in Anambra State APC were aghast on receiving the news of the composition of membership and appointment of the SEDC Board. Permit us. Sir, to use this medium to point out our observations with the above appointments. From the membership of the Board, it was observed that the nominations of members did not follow the provisions of the Act establishing the Commission which posit that Board membership be drawn from the five South-East states of Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo.

“Sir, the appointment of Hon. Mark C. Okoye as the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer is a big minus for the leadership and members of APC in Anambra State. Considering the person and political affiliation of Hon. Mark Okoye, the Party feels terribly injured and bruised if the appointment is allowed to stand. Hon. Okoye is a full-fledged member of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), and has served as Special Adviser to the Governor of Anambra State on Economic Planning, Budget and Investments, and later Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning in the Chief Willie Obiano APGA administration. He is currently the Managing Director, Anambra State Investment Promotion and Protection Agency (ANSIPPA) in the Anambra State government led by Prof. Charles Soludo of APGA. More worrisome is the fact that your Excellency appointed and inaugurated a serving member of APGA BOT, Mrs Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu as the Minister of State, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, thereby representing Anambra State in the Cabinet of Mr President and the Federal Executive Council. These appointments of non-APC members from Anambra State have continued to debase the entire stakeholders and members of the party in the state.

“Your Excellency, Sir, it is pertinent to reiterate that the APC in Anambra is undergoing tremendous resurgence, thus growing in leaps and bounds by the day. Growing stakeholders’ engagement, reorganizational programmes and Other structural reformations going on in the Party in Anambra State should be encouraged and supported, by rewarding conscientious and dedicated members with these appointments. The massive movement of men and women of substance in Anambra politics in their droves into the party is a pointer to the fact that the Party is the beautiful bride of Anambra politics and the most sought after political platform in the state. Sir, compensation of worthy Party men and women will in no mean way strengthen the resolve of members and intending members alike. The Party in Anambra has the capacity to produce very competent persons that can effectively man these offices, and sincerely deliver on the mandate of Mr. President, in line with the Party manifesto and program”.

The action sought by the party were listed as follows;

“That membership of Board of the South-East Development Commission
(SEDC) be evenly distributed to accommodate all five states of the South-East.

“That a thorough bred APC member from Anambra State be appointed in place of Hon. Mark C. Okoye of APGA, as the MD/CEO of SEDC.

“That Chief Sylvester Okonkwo, who is the Executive Director (Corporate Services) designate of the SEDC, be appointed MD/CEO of SEDC.”