Imo Cabinet: At Last, Okorocha Bows To Lawmakers’ Pressure

Posted by African Examiner Featured, Ignatius Okpara, Imo, Latest Headlines, News Tuesday, October 8th, 2013

Ignatius Okpara, Enugu

… Appoints 13 Imo indigenes as Commissioners

Imo state governor, Rochas Okorocha

At last, Imo state Governor, Rochas Okorocha, has bowed to pressure from the state House of Assembly after months of conflicts between him and the lawmakers over his earlier plan to appoint non-indigenes as commissioners in the state.

The Governor, who agreed to shelve the idea, had on Monday submitted 13 new names to the State House of Assembly as commissioners-nominee for clearance.

This development brings to 15 the total number of commissioners appointed by Okorocha so far since he dissolved his cabinet some months ago.

African Examiner reports that the Imo Governor had earlier last month appointed his Chief of Staff. He also appointed Sir Jude Ejiogu and Barr. Chukwma Machukwu Umeh as commissioners for Special Duties and Justice and Attorney General respectively.

The nominees Includes five newcomers which are, the Dean, Faculty of Law in Imo State University (IMSU), Prof. Uba Nnabue from Njaba LGA; Mr. Charles Osondu from Abor Mbaise; Mrs. Uche Ejiogu from Ihitte Uboma; Mrs. Love Mma Onyechere from Okigwe and the IMSU Librarian, Prof Okey Okoro from Ohaji/Egbema.

Others are immediate past commissioners, and they include the governor’s son-in-law and immediate past Commissioner for Lands and Housing, Chief Uche Nwosu from Nkwerre; Deacon Chike Okafor, former commissioner for Finance from Obowo; Ichie Best Uche Mbanaso (formerly Ministry of Commerce and Industry) and Chief Gerry Okolie (formerly of Local Government) both from Orlu.

Also in the list are the former commissioner for Youths and Sports, Kenneth Emelu, from Ideato South; Mr. Nick Oparandudu from Owerri North, Dr. Ifeanyi Nwachukwu from Ezinihitte Mbaise, and Lady Ugochi Nnanna Okoro from Owerri West who are former commissioners for Works, Public Utilities and Community Government and chieftaincy affairs respectively.

Our correspondent recalled that after sacking members of his cabinet last June, Governor Okorocha had vowed to appoint non-indigenes, especially those from the Northern and Western part of Nigeria, as some of his new commissioners and aides.

However, It was gathered that he made some moves towards fulfilling the promise, but was frustrated by members of the state house of Assembly who vehemently rejected the previous list he presented to them, insisting that the Commissioners must be Imo indigenes

Chief Benjamin Uwajumogu, speaker of the state Assembly was said to have personally rejected the governor’s proposal, leading to the protracted delay in constituting the new cabinet.