Apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide has called on the Senate to screen and confirm the board members of the South-East Development Commission, SEDC, as announced by President Bola Tinubu.

There has been disquiet in the South-East following the announcement of members of the SEDC by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Key opposition to the appointment is the South East chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC, which spoke through Dr. Ijeomah Arodiogbu, APC National Vice Chairman, South East.

He claimed that the appointments did not align with the Act that established the Commission, accusing the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt Hon Benjamin Kalu of misleading the President into making a biased appointment.https://dailypost.ng/2024/12/11/south-east-apc-asks-tinubu-to-reverse-appointments-in-sedc/

However, in a statement made available to journalists on Thursday, the National President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide, Mazi Okwu Nnabuike said it was unfortunate that some Igbo personalities would always oppose anything so far as it did not favour their selfish motives.

The youth organisation said the vast majority of Ndigbo were pleased with the list, urging the Senate to approve it as quickly as possible.

Okwu, who said the Board members were eminent Igbo sons and daughters, described the criticisms as unnecessary distractions.

“We are alarmed over the recent criticisms of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s appointment of Board members of the South-East Development Commission, SEDC.

“May we recall that the bill that saw to the establishment of that Board was sponsored by the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kanu.

“There is no doubt that the Rt. Hon. Kalu is today the highest ranking Igbo person in government and in fact the number six man in government.

“Having established this, we find it most annoying that some people are taking his calm disposition for granted.

“Assuming without conceding that he influenced the list, our question is- are the members of the Board not eminent Igbo sons and daughters?

“Contrary to the claims of those criticising the list, we have also observed that the list cuts across the entire five South-East states. Where then is the bias as alleged?

“It is obvious that those crying fowl are merely doing so because their cronies were not appointed; they are not in any way projecting Igbo interest.”

Okwu, while thanking President Bola Tinubu for constituting the Board, urged the Deputy Speaker not to be distracted.

“The Senate should kindly screen and approve them as soon as possible because there is work to be done and the budget is by the corner, as any delay will cause the Igbos a lot.

“Ndigbo are solidly behind him; those complaining are championing selfish interest and must not be taken seriously.

“The majority of the Igbos are happy with the nomination from the President and look forward to working with these ones that will bring the development strides of the president to the grassroots without any one highjacking the credit.

“Others aggrieved should establish their own state development commission like Abia state did and leave the president alone to do his job,” the Ohanaeze Youth President declared.

SEDC: Ohanaeze youths urge Senate to expedite action on screening of Board members