IZUNASO SPOILS THE BROTH FOR IMO MINISTERIAL NOMINEE, UGWU



Many Nigerians were alarmed at the drama which took place yesterday on the foor of the Senate. It was akin to a house divided against itself.

Right after Mrs Diezani Allison-Madueke was ushered out of the hallowed Senate chambers, it was the turn of the no less accomplished industrilist,engineer and politician,Charles Ugwu. Ugwu,a native of Obowo in Imo state was the concensus PDP candidate for the Imo gubernatorial elections last April whose march to State House was ultimately halted by a Supreme court ruling. The University of Birmingham trained engineer who is a past President of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria and who is Chairman of Rokana Industries Limited*a plastics,toothbrush and aerosol manufacturing concern regarded nationwide for its high quality products) eventually got nominated as the representative of Imo state to become aminister of the government of the federation, albeit as compensation for his botched gubernatorial exertions.

Well,Ugwu took the floor and forcefully justified his nomination with a long list of achievements in the economic and industrial spheres.
It is pertinent to point out that thus far,all the ministerial nominees have all been publicly endorsed PRIMARILY by the the 3 senators representing the concerned state. For example and in addition to forceful backing from all Bayelsa state senators, Diezani Madueke's nomination was even supported by Senator Ike Ekweremadu on the grounds that Admiral Madueke, a citizen of Enugu West senatorial district is her husband and as such "we own her by default". She was backed by Senator James Manager of Delta South, claiming that Patani is part of his constituency and "we own her mother". Senators Grace Bent,Joy Emordi and Emem Ufot-Ekaette gave her sisterly back-up, and with so much pride on account of her being most worthy.
This has pretty much been the trend for nominees from all states of the federation. it did not stop the nominee from getting bombarded with questions. Infact, the backers usually called on all senators to rigorously question their preferred nominee.

Then came the turn of Imo state. I nearly wept. After Ugwu had done a thorough job of selling his candidacy to the senators,next came question time. Osita Izunaso, 41, former MHR (1999-2007) stood up and without mincing words decried the nomination of Ugwu on the grounds that he hails from the same Imo North senatorial district(ie Okigwe area) as the governor of Imo state,Ikedi Ohakim. He went further to state that it was unacceptable to his people of Imo West senatorial district (ie Orlu area). According to Osita Izunaso, Imo West district with 12 local government areas is the largest senatorial district in the entire South East region should have been given a chance to provide the ministerial nominee instead since Imo North district comprises a mere 6 local government areas. As a concession and in apparent acceptance of the fact that Charles ugwu is eminently qualified to be a minister, he urged Mr President to nominate a second Imo citizen for appointment as minister. To say that his fellow senators were alarmed at this kinda show amounts to understating things. Mouths were agape.

Well,Senator Chris Anyanwu representing Imo East (Owerri area)laboured to convince herself that there was anything wrong with Ugwu taking the slot on behalf of the Imo people. She finally also called for a second ministerial slot to be given to Imo state as a concessionary measure since the competence of Ugwu is incontrovertible.

Well, I hope Ohaneze is watching and plotting a strategy to check this enduring pattern of undoing one's own kind.