Achike Udenwa Emerges Minister of Commerce

 

Last night the Yar;Adua’s administration put all doubts about her unseriousness to rest when the Ministry of Commerce portfolio was Chief Achike Udenwa the immediate pass governor of Imo State, South East Nigeria.

Throughout his stint in Imo State, there was no industrial chimney belching smoke. As recent as yesterday, the Chief Press Secretary to his successor Ikedi Ohakim, stated that there was infrastructural decay under the tenure of Chief Udenwa, although the CPS was responding to the story of a High Court Uruall Judge sitting under a mango tree. If this is the true position of things in Imo State, what is the evidence of achievement that made this administration to nominate and insist that Udenwa be made minister?

It will be recalled that there was protest at the gate of the National Assembly Complex on the day the Senate was screening Udenwa. This protest if nothing shows that Udenwa does not have the support and loyalty of the state he ruled for 8 years. Forget his answer to the effect that all politicians have enemies. But what Udenwa failed to tell us is that no ministerial nominee had his enemies marching down the gate of the Assembly on the day of their screening.

Another thing we should not lose sight of is that Udenwa whose name was among the first batch of nominees was delayed at the SSS, implying that his credentials may not be as starling as some of his paid loyalists are making out. At this juncture, I cannot help but imagine what it was that delayed his security clearance. Nigerians should now understand why some politicians are hell bent on frustrating the passing of Freedom on Information Bill (FoIB)

The immediate past Minister of Commerce was Charles Ugwu, the PDP flag bearer in Imo State during the April 14^th guber election. Udenwa against party primary result that favoured Senator Ifeanyi Ararume aided Charles Ugwu despite a Supreme Court ruling declaring Ararume as the rightful flag bearer of PDP. Consequently, a new election was conducted on the 28^th of April and PPA led by Ikedi Ohakim became governor.

With this history fresh on our minds, one cannot help query the rational behind the compensation with a ministerial appointment to a sitting governor who could not deliver his state for his party.

If Charles Ugwu could not deliver will his godfather deliver? Their inability to deliver is plainly because there is no functional industry or mega commercial activity going on in Imo State. The Industrial Estate on Owerri-Onitsha road, is a grave yard with only NBC and a handful of pure water companies working.

Ugwu who was the head of Manufacturing Association of Nigeria (MAN), could not stem the tide of Chinese importations of substandard goods, especially textile.

Another draw back in this ministerial appointment is the generational question. Are there no able young men in Imo State that can fill the Imo State Ministerial slot? Why bring back an ex-governor? And an ex-governor that has nothing in terms of improved commercial activity during his ruin of the state to justify foisting him on the nation.

On a general scale, President Yar’Adua should quickly reshuffle his new lack luster cabinet as it is obvious that the present constituent of his cabinet will not move this nation anywhere near his 7 Point Agenda.

You need to see Dora Akunyili battling to keep a straight face while trying to spin out an image for the government.

How about the 72 year old Lukman? This administration is fast becoming a dump ground for recycled dead woods.

What are these ex-governors doing in the cabinet? Are they not tired that after 8 years they could not radically improve their states?

What new vigor will Ufot Ekaette bring to Niger Delta that he forgot to tell Obasanjo and other Heads of state he served that will warrant his appointment as Minister in charge of the virgin Niger Delta Affairs Ministry?

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