The recent appointment of prominent All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) members to key positions in the administration of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has sparked mixed reactions across Nigeria, particularly in Anambra State.
Defending President Bola Tinubu’s decision, Sir Paul Chukwuma, a governorship aspirant for the 2025 Anambra election under the APC, described the appointments as a testament to the president’s inclusive leadership and commitment to national unity.
Among the notable appointees are Mrs. Bianca Ojukwu, wife of the late Ikemba Nnewi and a member of the APGA Board of Trustees, who was named Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, and Mr. Mark Okoye, a former Commissioner and Managing Director of the Anambra State Investment Promotion and Protection Agency (ANSIPPA), who was appointed Director General of the South East Development Commission (SEDC).
Speaking during a media briefing in Umueri, Anambra East Local Government Area, Chukwuma dismissed criticisms suggesting that the appointments undermine the APC’s position in the region or reflect favoritism toward APGA.
“As a party, we in APC are partisan, but we must remember that we are one Nigeria,” Chukwuma stated. “The president has the prerogative to appoint credible individuals, and these appointees are from Anambra. If these appointments had gone elsewhere, there would still be complaints. Let APGA provide evidence if they claim they nominated these individuals.”
He further emphasized the APC’s commitment to inclusivity, arguing that the party’s approach transcends partisan lines.
“APC does not practice winner-takes-all politics,” Chukwuma said. “We welcome credible individuals from any political background, provided they are committed to serving under the APC administration. Both Bianca Ojukwu and Mark Okoye are well-qualified and credible individuals.”
Chukwuma also accused APGA of maintaining a contradictory stance, claiming that the party seeks federal recognition while downplaying APC’s influence in Anambra.
“APGA has been lobbying President Tinubu for appointments while publicly dismissing APC in Anambra. They claim an alliance exists with APC at the federal level, yet no such arrangement exists. These two appointments, out of 20 for Anambra, highlight President Tinubu’s fatherly and inclusive leadership.”
The appointments have reignited conversations about federal inclusivity and the evolving political dynamics in the South East as the APC positions itself to gain more ground in Anambra and beyond.
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