The rift between Imo State Governor Hope Uzodinma and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, has escalated, centering on appointments to the newly established South-East Development Commission (SEDC).

President Bola Tinubu’s unexpected reshuffling of nominees within 24 hours of releasing the original list has thrown the spotlight on the tug-of-war between Uzodinma and Kalu.

On Friday, Tinubu, through his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, announced the initial list of appointees, naming Hon. Emeka Atuma as the Chairman of the commission. However, in a dramatic turnaround, a revised list released on Saturday replaced Atuma with Barr. Emeka Nworgu (PhD) as Chairman, among other changes.

Sources reveal that Atuma had been Uzodinma’s preferred candidate, endorsed by the All Progressives Congress (APC) South-East leadership under his stewardship. The initial list was reportedly submitted to the presidency with Uzodinma’s backing.

However, Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu is alleged to have successfully lobbied President Tinubu to amend the list, inserting his own preferred candidates.

“This is a clear supremacy battle,” an insider disclosed to SaharaReporters on condition of anonymity. “Governor Uzodinma and the South-East APC initially pushed the list featuring Emeka Atuma. However, Benjamin Kalu influenced changes to replace Uzodinma’s nominees with his own.”

The revised list reflects Kalu’s influence, reportedly featuring four nominees handpicked by the Deputy Speaker. These include Barr. Emeka Nworgu, Stanley Ohajuruka, Clifford Ogbede, and Toby Okechukwu, Kalu’s Chief of Staff.

In the updated appointments, Emeka Nworgu replaced Emeka Atuma as Chairman, Stanley Ohajuruka became the Executive Director of Finance, Toby Okechukwu was appointed Executive Director of Projects, and Clifford Ogbede was named an Executive Director without a portfolio. Other changes included Sylvester Okonkwo as Executive Director of Corporate Services, replacing Dr. Daniel Ikechukwu Ugwuja.

Despite the reshuffle, several nominees from the original list were retained, including Barr. Ugochukwu H. Agballah, Hon. Okey Ezenwa, Chief Hyacinth Ikpor, and Barr. Ifeanyi Agwu.

Onanuga noted that the appointments remain subject to Senate confirmation. He emphasized the President's expectation that the nominees would focus on the commission’s mandate to drive development in the South-East.

This internal APC power tussle underscores the high stakes in shaping the leadership of the SEDC, which is poised to play a critical role in the region’s development.