A group, the Concerned Southwest Social Developmental Group (CSSDG) has urged President Bola Tinubu to rethink his recent appointment of Chukwuemeka Woke as the Managing Director of the Ogun-Osun River Basin Development Authority.
The group premised its call on the importance of familiarity and regional representation in appointment, arguing that Woke was from Rivers State.
Speaking at a gathering in Abeokuta, Ogun State, spokesperson for CSSDG, Mr Adeyemi Akande, said appointing managing directors who are versed and understand the nuances of the region would be more efficient and effective.
The group said the appointment of Woke was worrisome as it betrayed the trajectory of appointments of heads of such authorities, while it also wondered if there were no persons in the South-West qualified to hold such position.
Akande said: “The appointment of Chukwuemeka Woke as Managing Director (MD) is a blatant disregard for our regional representation. Past appointments have always been based on ethnic considerations, ensuring the appointed MDs are well-versed and understand the nuances of our region.
“Our concern is not just about this specific appointment but the broader pattern it represents. This deviation from established norms undermines the pool of capable hands within the Southwest.
“Akintunde Soyemi was the Managing Director of Ogun-Osun River Basin Development Authority; Professor Abdulkarim Muhammad of Upper Niger River Basin Development Authority; Dr Adeniyi Aremu of Lower Niger River Basin Development Authority in Ilorin; Saliu Ahmed, Managing Director of Benin-Owena River Basin Development Authority; Muhammad Adra, Managing Director of Lower Benue River Basin Development Authority in Makurdi; Mr Olufemi Odumosu of Ogun- Osun River Basin Development Authority; Mr Bassey Nkposong of Cross River Basin Development Authority and Bature Mohammed, Managing Director of Sokoto Rima River Basin Development Authority in Sokoto.
“Former president Olusegun Obasanjo also appointed a managing director for Hadejia Jama’are River Basin Development Authority (HJRBDA) based on their ethnicity.”
Another member of the CSSDG, Taiwo Babalola, added, “The appointment of Chukwuemeka Woke raises serious questions about the fairness of the selection process.
“It seems like political machinations are at play here.”
The CSSDG implored President Bola Tinubu to uphold the Southwest’s right to representation and to appoint a candidate from the region to the MD position.
They cautioned against the marginalization of Southwest interests, emphasizing the need for equitable treatment in appointments to key positions of authority.
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