As reactions continue to trail the rescheduled list of nominees for the management of the South East Development Commission (SEDC), Hon Mark C. Okoye who retained his position as the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer has been accused of leading a campaign of calumny against the election of President Bola Tinubu during the 2023 General elections.
Tinubu within a space of 24 hours between Friday and Saturday appointed and relieved Hon Emeka Atuma of the chairmanship of the Commission and replaced him with Emeka Nworgu.
However, Prominent Anambra social commentator Dr. Chikwenze Ogbuoji accused Dr Mark, a Nominee of the 16-member board as a staunch castigate of President Tinubu and a card carrying registered member of the Anambra ruling All Progressive’s Grand Alliance ( APGA ).
Ogbuoji faulted Okoye’s reaction to criticism against his nomination in which he boldly distanced himself from the All Progressives Congress ( APC ) affirming that his appointment by President Bola Tinubu was based on merit.
On what described as an unfortunate treatment of loyal party members , Ogbuoji recalled how Okoye, a former Commissioner in Anambra State, spearheaded slander campaigns against the APC and President Tinubu.
Ogbuoji in a lengthy statement on Sunday said that Okoye and the Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Soludo worked tirelessly for the emergence of the People’s Democratic Party candidate Atiku Abubakar.
He lamented the plights of those who endured the “bullets” from the opponents of Tinubu during the elections will be subjected to mockery after their rejection from the series of appointments announced by the President.
Ogbuoji gave an account of Mark Okoye’s outbursts while speaking to APGA stakeholders in his Local Government (Dunukofia) where has was caught on camera speaking against the aspiration of Tinubu describing the President as evil saying that his ambition to rule the country will remain a pipe dream that will never come to pass.
“Mark Okoye is not just an APGA chieftain and appointee of Gov. Soludo, but an unrepentant hater of President Tinubu and his political family”.
“After reading a congratulatory message sent to him by an APC chieftain in Anambra State, Mark Okoye in his usual boastful characteristic and ingratitude disassociated himself from APC/Tinubu Administration, boasted that the appointment was given to him on merit”.
“It is therefore surprising that the President will appoint such a hater to head a very strategic federal government parastatal such as Southeast Development Commission as this cradle stage of the Commission”.
Ogbuoji described Mark’s appointment as an “anomaly” adding that if not corrected , he will sabotage the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Tinubu in the South-East and equally ruin the President’s re-election chances in 2027.
“The President should as a matter of urgency take a second look at this very appointment.
“Whoever recommended Mark Okoye for such a sensitive position did not wish the President to succeed in Southeast, the person did so simply for personal gains.
According to Ogbuoji, the nominee is known for switching allegiances warning that he will betray President Tinubu.
“However, I must point out that Mark Okoye has a way of switching loyalty from one authority to another.
“He did that to Peter Obi when Obi was the Governor. He was made an SSA to Gov. Peter Obi.
“When Obi left office, Mark moved to Obiano and he was made a commissioner for budget and economic planning.
“After Obiano’s administration, the same Mark Okoye dumped Obiano and moved to Soludo through his wife and he was appointed the MD of ANSIPPA.
Furthermore Ogbuoji said that Okoye was incapable to head such a position considering his poor performance as Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning in Anambra State and the Managing Director of Anambra State Investment Promotion and Protection Agency (ANSIPPA ).
“Mark did not make any tangible impact nor did he achieve anything for Anambra State in all the positions he has occupied.
Ogbuoji urged President Tinubu to resist the practice of rewarding persons who worked against him and abandoning those who worked in his favour.
This is not the first time that President Tinubu’s appointment has caused disquiet among stakeholders of the party, Recall that on November President Tinubu appointed a staunch critic of his Mr. Daniel Bwala as his Special Adviser on Policy communication.
The announcement further raised questions on the rationale of the President’s reward system for Loyal party members.
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