Anambra State chapter of All Progressives Congress (APC) have kicked against appointment of the immediate past member representing Awka north and south federal House of Representative, Rt. Hon. Anayo Nnebe as a legislative aide to Speaker of the green chamber, Femi Gbajabiamila.
Nnebe represented Awka north and south in the 8 Assembly under the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) but decamped to All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) in 2017, as well as flagged the part ticket for the same season on 2019 National Assembly election which he lost to PDP candidate, Hon. Chinedu Onwuaso.
The former Speaker of Anambra State House of Assembly was on Wednesday, appointed as Special Assistant–political matters (South East), to Speaker Gbajabiamila.
The lists containing 27 names of newly appointed legislative aides signed by Lanre Lasisi, the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Speaker of House of Representative, showed that Gbajabiamila also appointed the son of Internal Auditor of APC, George Moghalu (Mr Dubem Moghalu) as Special Assistant – Research and Public Policy.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with Blueprint, the Anambra State Chairman of APC, Hon. Basil Ejidike said the party would protest it as it was a clear case of ‘monkey deh work baboon dey chop.’
Ejidike, who wondered the rationale used by the Speaker in appointing an “APGA member,” said “There is nowhere a person will work in America and receive salary in Canada. There is nowhere one will empower his opposition against the members of the party who work day and night for the common goods of the party. It is a mockery of our efforts.
“ Nnebe is an antagonist of APC. We are coming with a public protest. And we hope that the Speaker will reconsider the appointment. APGA has never for once consider our own in their appointment in Anambra state.”
He, however, commended Dubem Moghalu on his appointment, which he described as meritious and sign of encouragement to members.
Earlier, a press release in circulation on social media, signed by APC Publicity Secretaries, South East zone, said the party image makers rejected appointment of Nnebe as a legislative aide.
The release signed by Mrs Kate Offor (PRO Enugu State), Mr Nwoba Chika Nwoba (PRO Ebonyi State), Mr Benedict Godson (PRO Abia State and Mr Okelo MaduKaife (PRO Anambra state), describing him as an opposition to APC in Anambra State, the South East Zone and Nigeria in general.
“ He is instrumental to APC seat to Awka Federal Constituency elluding our party, even though he lost also. Political positions in the ruling party should not serve to rehabilitate oppositions who cause damage to our party’s fortunes.
“Registering in future with APC is not even an incentive because ‘ the sun must first shone on those standing before those kneeling’. One thought that Gbajabiamila ride to power as speaker on the plank of ‘ good and consistent party man’. At least that was the message in the trumpet. Where have other good party men in the South East.
“We have nothing against Rt. Hon Nnebe but our zonal caucus has to grow and it is not by appointing PDP men in APGA clothing, to the detriment of the long – suffering members of APC. We have in the past witnessed all manner of flirtation between our structures outside the South East and the very persons who constitute opposition to us in the zone,” parts of their release stated.
Meanwhile, a political pressure group, Old Awka Forum (OAF), comprising 34 political Wards in the 19 communities that make up Awka North and Awka South LGAs of Anambra State, has congratulated Hon. Anayo Nnebe on his new appointment.
OAF in a release signed by its Chairman, Media and Publicity, who incidentally is Internal Auditor of APGA Anambra State chapter, Mr Nchekwube Tony Dunga, described the appointment as a right choice made by the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
“The OAF on this day, pray Almighty God to grant you good health and protection, as well as great wisdom and understanding to use your wealth of experience to discharge your responsibilities diligently and without fear or favour. We believe that as a great son of ours with immense reputation and integrity, you will make us proud!,” the release wished him.
