By Gideon Njoku
When President Muhammadu Buhari, finally, released the names of his long awaited ministerial list, there were just two surprises. Senator Gbemisola Saraki (Kwara), and Hon. Emeka Nwajiuba.
Saraki was, obviously, appointed to spite her elder brother, and former Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki. Between both siblings, there is no love lost.
But the star suprise was Nwajiuba. He is a member of the House of Representatives. And, technically, not a member of the ruling party, the All Progressives Congress, APC. He became a member of the House under the banner of the Accord Party, AP, a party he defected to after the Rochas-Okorocha magic during the APC Primary. He was defeated by Hon. Chika Okafor, a former Okorocha’s Finance Commissioner, and loyalist, who he, in 2015, sponsored to the House.
2019 was to be his second missionary journey, but the victory was snatched from him by a court which ordered INEC to retrieve the Certificate of Return already given to him and, hand over same to Nwajiuba who contested under the AP.
Nwajiuba was thus sworn-in during the inauguration of the NASS.
A core Buhari loyalist, and his favourite for the Speakership of the House, the plan was aborted at the last minute, in favour of Femi Gbajabiamila, because of the circumstances surrounding his membership of the House on the platform of the AP.
On Tuesday, July 23, Buhari rewarded him for his loyalty by appointing him a ministerial nominee, dropping Okorocha’s candidate, and in-law, Former Minister of State, Education, Prof. Anthony Anwuka.
By this appointment, Nwajiuba has beaten two APC stalwarts in Imo, Senator Hope Uzodinma and the immediate past Deputy Governor, Prince Eze Madumere. The expectation was that one of them, especially, Uzodinma would make the President’s cabinet.
Uzodinma was the APC governorship candidate in the 2019 elections. He was defeated by the PDP candidate, The Rt. Honourable Emeka Ihedioha.
Nwajiuba’s appointment is a confirmation of the President’s promise, a couple of weeks ago, to appoint, as Ministers, only those known to him, personally.
Nwajiuba is not only one of them, he is in the inner circle. He is expected to supervise a key Ministry.
On assumption of office in 2015, Buhari had also appointed him the Chairman of TETFUND, a position he quit after he was inaugurated as a member of the House.
He is expected to, soon, dump the AP for the APC, where his heart really is.
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