The outgoing governor of Anambra state, Chief Willie Obiano, on Thursday, absents, as the governor-elect, Professor Charles Chukwuma Soludo, inaugurates his transition committee ahead of March 17, 2022 swearing-in.
The event took place at Golden Tulip Hotel, Agulu in Anaocha area of the state.
The governor was expected to grace the occasion but was visibly absent, raising a suspicion of possible rift between Soludo and his political godfather.
When contacted, the Anambra State commissioner for information and public enlightenment, Mr. C.Don Adinuba responded that he and the governor were not invited for the programme.
He disclosed that he was not a member of the committee, moreover he has serious businesses in his office.
“The governor is not there and I am not there. I am not bothered by not being there. I have more serious things to do in the ministry,” he said.
It was gathered that top members of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA), in the state, were not also seen at the event.
Journalists who went to the venue of the event were also denied entry into the hall even when they pleaded to be given the opportunity to get their news.
Among the media houses denied entry were Daily Trust, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), New Telegraph, This Nigeria, The Guardian, Nigeria Pilot, Leadership, Daily Times among others.
A member of the Soludo media team bragged that they are not interested in coverage of national media, saying “Soludo can govern the state without the media”.
According to the man, who did not carry a name tag, Soludo has media influencers to cover his events as they did during the November 6, 2021 election”.
The committee being headed by the former World Bank executive and a one time Minister of Education, Dr. Oby Ezekwesili has 80 members chosen from within and outside the state on the benchmark of knowledge, character, excellence, diversity, integrity, inclusiveness and professionalism.
Inaugurating the committee, Professor Soludo outlined the terms of reference of the committee noting that he envisions an Anambra that will be more liveable and prosperous as the committee will see to a seamless transition and help the incoming administration take – off smoothly.
He emphasized that having a peaceful, progressive and prosperous Anambra Is the collective dream and collective responsibility of every onye Anambra, therefore, the need for everyone to own the growth and development of Anambra by contributing through selfless services.
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He thanked the committee members for accepting to serve Anambra and encouraged them to co-opt anyone that would add value to the project.
He described the transition as a friendly one, expressed his gratitude to Governor Willie Obiano for his unflinching support.
Soludo assure to run an open and accountable administration.
The state Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Mr Mark Okoye took the gathering through vision, mission and strategic objectives, achievements, challenges and lesson learnt from the Obiano-led administration.
The Committee Chairperson, Dr Oby Ezekwesili, while accepting the responsibility, thanked the Governor-Elect for the honour.
She highlighted ground rules, agenda and terms of reference of the transition committee and emphasized that their mission is to boost the effectiveness of the Governor-Elect and the incoming government team in their quest to build a liveable and prosperous smart megacity.
She charged the committee members to be committed and dedicated to the task of building a great future for Ndi Anambra.
and then