After months of conflict between him and the State House of Assembly over his planned appointment of non-indigenes as commissioners, Gov Rochas Okorocha of Imo State, Monday, submitted 13 new names to the State House of Assembly as commissioners-nominee for clearance.
This brings to 15 the number of commissioners appointed by Governor Okorocha so far.
He had earlier last month appointed his Chief of Staff, Sir Jude Ejiogu and Barr Chukwma Machukwu Umeh as commissioners for Special Duties, and Justice and Attorney General respectively.
The nominees include five newcomers who are, the Dean, Faculty of Law in Imo State University, Prof. Uba Nnabue from Njaba LGA; Mr. Charles Osondu from Abor Mbaise; Mrs. Uche Ejiogu from Ihitte Uboma; Mrs. Love Mma Onyechere from Okigwe and the IMSU Librarian, Prof Okey Okoro from Ohaji/Egbema.
The rest are the immediate past commissioners and they include the governor’s son-inlaw and immediate past Commissioner for Lands and Housing, Chief Uche Nwosu from Nkwerre; Deacon Chike Okafor, former commissioner for Finance from Obowo; Ichie Best Uche Mbanaso (formerly Ministry of Commerce and Industry) and Chief Gerry Okolie (formerly of Local Government) both from Orlu.
Others are the former commissioner for Youths and Sports, Kenneth Emelu from Ideato South; Mr. Nick Oparandudu from Owerri North, Dr. Ifeanyi Nwachukwu from Ezinihitte Mbaise, and Lady Ugochi Nnanna Okoro from Owerri West who are former commissioners for Works, Public Utilities and Community Government & chieftaincy affairs respectively.
It would be recalled that after sacking members of his cabinet last June, Governor Okorocha vowed to appoint non-indigenes, especially from Northern and Western part of the country, as some of his new commissioners and aides.
It was learnt that he made moves to fulfill his promise, but the members of the state house of assembly were reported to have rejected the previous list.
Speaker of the House, Chief Benjamin Uwajumogu was specifically said to have rejected the governor’s offer, leading to protracted delay.
