Who Will Buhari Appoint Minister From Imo State?

With few days to the month of September, the month President Muhammadu Buhari promised to appoint his ministers, concern has been expressed on who will the President appoint from Imo State.

President Buhari is expected to appoint one minister from each of the 36 States of the federation to reflect the principle of federal character as enshrined in the Constitution.

PRESIDENT BUHARI

Indications were rife that top on the list of consideration for appointment from Imo State is Emeka Nwajuba. Nwajuba is said to be close political ally of the President having stayed glued with Buhari in the Congress For Progressive Change, CPC .

CPC is one of the political parties that merged with the All Nigeria Peoples Party, ANPP and the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, that merged to form the All Progressive Congress, APC.

Nwajuba, a businessman has long time political ties with key northern politicians who are also part of  Buhari’s political machine.  He was reported to be in the entourage of President Buhari to the United States, when the President visited President Barack Obama.

If President walk his talk of not accepting any nominees from State Governors, then Nwajiuba will be in serious contention for the ministerial job.

Aside Nwajuba, former Secretary to Imo State Government, Prof Anthony Anwukah may be considered for a ministerial appointment. Anwukah is reported be backed by his in law and Imo State Governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha for the position of the Secretary to the Government Federation.  But Anwukah may face an uphill task for the position to be even considered a ministerial job since Buhari said no State Governor will give him nominees.

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The name of Mike Ahamba (SAN) was bandied around as possible nominee, but the odds against him seem to be insurmountable. He is a card carrying member of the PDP having vied for the governorship of Imo State on the PDP platform.He is also the lead counsel for the  Imo State PDP governorship candidate, Rt Hon Emeka Ihedioha. 

He has not renounced his membership of the party.

Before now, the Mbaise born Senior Advocate of Nigeria, led Buhari’s legal team to challenge the victory of Late President Umaru Yar’ Adua in 2007.  Though he lost the matter at the Supreme Court, he was said to have left the political camp of Buhari after his quest to be the national chairman of the Congress of Progressive Change was rejected by key party officials.   

While Ahamba is very qualified to be appointed minister, his non membership of the APC may hamper any ray of hope to be appointed into Buhari’s government. He is not known to have indicated interest in any position in the present government either.