Ben Ezechime, Enugu
Gov. Peter Mbah last Friday July 28, 2023, sent a 15-man commissioner nominees list to the State House of Assembly for screening and possible clearance.
Mbah’s action was in line with the new electoral law 2022 which gives the newly inaugurated President and governors 60 days to submit his/her cabinet nominees.
According to the Speaker, Hon. Uche Ugwu, the names of the nominees are as follows: Prof. Ndubueze Mbah, Mrs. Ngozi Eni, Prince Lawrence Eze, Prof. Sam Ugwu, Pharm. Chika Ugwoke, Dr. Kingsley Ude, Prof. Emmanuel I. Obi, Deacon Okey Ogbodo, Ben Ugochi Madueke, Barr. Lloyd I. Ekweremadu, Engr. Gerrald Otiji, Nathaniel Urama, Dr. Malachy Agbo, Mr. Aka Eze Aka, Adaora Chukwu.
According to Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, Secretary to the State Government (SSG), who signed the memo to the assembly, more nominees were expected from the governor.
Meanwhile, going through the list of the nominees, some critical stakeholders in the state have expressed their opinions on the characters, background and competence of some of the nominees and their ability to deliver Mbah’s tomorrow to the people of Enugu State.
Mr Steve Ofilli, a banker and current affairs analyst described the list as empty and lacking in substance.
He said that the governor had failed in convincing the people of Enugu State of his readiness for governance.
Ofilli added that the governor had proved that all the hype during the campaign and after was an empty noise.
“The list contains neophytes, people that are just there to fill the positions of their families and to keep family names going even at the detriment of the people.
“Mbah is obviously courting influential citizens of the state to gain acceptability and not to bring any positive change to the state.
“His appointment of sons and daughters of prominent politicians in the state will take the state to nowhere,” Ofilli said.
Ikengaonline reports that amongst the nominees are Mrs Adaora Chukwu, who is daughter of the former governor, Sullivan Chime; and Lloyd Ekweremadu, the 24 years old son of former deputy president of theSenate, Ike Ekweremadu.
Also on the list is, Mr Ben Madueke, a nephew of former Naval Chief/former Administrator of old Anambra State, Rear-Admiral Allison Madueke; and Engr. Lawrence Eze, the first son of the Igwe of Mburumbu.
Also speaking on the list, Mr Ambrose Eze said Mbah was no different from a normal Nigerian politician, adding that all his claims of going to turn Enugu State into an economic hub was nothing but beating an empty drum.
Eze, an economist, said the governor was pandering to the dictates of those who just wanted to remain politically relevant in the state.
“I can see why Sullivan Chime was all over campaigning for Mbah during the electioneering; so, he can be compensated to remain relevant and probably to maintain grip of whatever he is enjoying after office.
“Mbah is just a continuation of the systemic rot and nothing more. Most of those in that list are political novices just used to further the hegemonic agenda,” he said.
Engr. Morris Edeh, told Ikengaonline that the list was an assemblage of mostly people who could not ordinarily challenge him (the governor).
According to him, the list was not actually people that were coming to work with the governor to realise whatever ambition or plans he had but mainly those who will not pose any challenge to him.
“That list in my own opinion is too weak to challenge the governor and I believe that is why he picked them.
“Some of them are representatives of his god-fathers; some are close allies; while some are close relations.
“With the way he sounded while coming in, one thought we would see core technocrats, who will help him to shape the Enugu economy and general well-being.
“I am really disappointed seeing that list; it portrays him as someone who has nothing to offer,” Edeh said.
