By Chioma Obinna

The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) yesterday threw its weight behind the South East chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in calling for fair representation in the appointment of the Board and Management of the South East Development Commission (SEDC).

The organisation emphasised that equitable distribution of appointments among the South East states is crucial to fulfilling the Commission’s mandate as outlined in its enabling Act.

HURIWA’s National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, in a press statement decried the lopsided nature of the appointments, which he said failed to provide adequate representation for all five South East states—Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, and Imo. Onwubiko stressed that the SEDC was established to tackle the region’s unique developmental challenges and must be inclusive to achieve its objectives.

The South East APC had earlier raised similar concerns, highlighting that the SEDC Act requires a rotational Chairmanship of the Board among the South East states, beginning with Abia State.
The Act also mandates that each of the five states should have representation on the Board. However, current appointments are said to disproportionately favor certain states, leaving others—particularly Imo and Ebonyi—unrepresented.

The APC National Vice Chairman for the South East, Dr. Ijeomah Arodiogbu expressed appreciation for the appointment of an Abia State indigene as Board Chairman.

However, he criticised the allocation of other key positions, including Managing Director (MD) and Executive Director (ED), to Anambra State, leaving Imo and Ebonyi without any key roles.

“This is a clear violation of the Act and creates an impression of inequity,” Arodiogbu noted in a letter to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. He further argued that Imo and Ebonyi are strongholds of the APC in the South East and played vital roles in the party’s electoral success.

Additionally, the APC Anambra State Chapter opposed the appointment of Hon. Mark C. Okoye, a member of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), as the Managing Director (MD) of the SEDC.

In a letter to President Tinubu, the chapter described the appointment as a “big minus” for the APC, advocating instead for Chief Sylvester Okonkwo, a founding APC member and former senatorial candidate for Anambra Central, as a better fit for the position.

HURIWA further echoed these sentiments, condemning the exclusion of Imo and Ebonyi from the SEDC Board and criticizing the appointment of a non-APC member to a critical position.

The rights group called on President Tinubu to review the appointments, ensure compliance with the SEDC Act, and restore equity and fairness in the composition of the Board.

“HURIWA supports the call for equitable representation in SEDC appointments. Excluding Imo and Ebonyi from the Board is a direct violation of the Act and sends the wrong message to the people of the region. Such an approach undermines fairness, inclusiveness, and the spirit of the law,” Onwubiko said.

On the issue of Hon. Mark C. Okoye’s appointment as MD, HURIWA argued that such strategic roles should be reserved for loyal members of the ruling party.

The group backed the call for the replacement of Okoye with Chief Sylvester Okonkwo, a seasoned APC stalwart who has consistently demonstrated his commitment to the party’s growth in the region.

HURIWA urged President Tinubu to re-examine the appointments to foster inclusivity and promote unity in the South East.

The group stated that the original nomination list was drawn up after extensive consultations with South East governors and other key stakeholders, but the final appointments deviated from this consensus, leading to discontent and mistrust.

“The initial nomination list was a product of broad consultation with stakeholders, including the governors of the South East. It is troubling that this collective decision was altered, causing unnecessary tension and dissatisfaction,” HURIWA noted.

The rights group reiterated the importance of the SEDC as a vehicle for addressing the region’s development challenges, including infrastructure deficits, unemployment, and security issues. HURIWA maintained that achieving the Commission’s goals would require adherence to equity, fairness, and proper representation in its leadership and management.

“As a human rights organization, we advocate for policies and actions that promote justice, fairness, and development. The SEDC is a vital institution for the South East, and its leadership structure must reflect inclusiveness and competence,” Onwubiko said.HURI

WA reaffirmed its support for President Tinubu’s administration and its commitment to national unity and development.

The group called on the President to address the South East APC’s concerns to restore confidence in his government’s commitment to justice, fairness, and equitable governance.