By Izunna Okafor, Awka
What could be best described as a wave of mixed reactions has swept through the media space, as an erstwhile Commissioner for Works and Transport in Anambra State, Prince Kenneth Okwuchukwu Emeakayi got fresh appointment by Governor Chukwuma Soludo.
Prince Emeakayi, who served as Commissioner during the former Governor Chinwoke Mbadinuju Administration in the state, was, on Tuesday, appointed the Special Adviser to Governor Soludo on Community Security.
He was also sworn-in on Tuesday during the State Executive Council meeting in Awka.
The new Special Adviser, Emeakayi, who hails from Okija in Ihiala Local Government Area of the State, was formerly the State Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party in Anambra State, as well as the President-General of his community.
Although, more details are yet to emerge about Emeakayi’s appointment, many see it as a sincere and strategic move by the Governor to tackle insecurity in the state.
This reporter, Izunna Okafor, however, gathered that, while many have described Emeakayi as a perfect match for such appointment, some others share a contrary view about his befittingness for that.
According to report by The Razor, an Anambra-based online newspaper, Prince Emeakayi was known to have coordinated security in the Okija area.
“Despite Ihiala being a hotbed of insecurity and known to have camps by secessionist elements, Okija has been very peaceful, and this has been attributed to Emeakhayi’s hardwork.
“With the recent nomination, he will be charged with the job of coordinating the effectiveness of local security in various communities,” the report partly reads.
However reacting to the appointment, an Anambra-born activist and online publisher, Mr. Ikenna Ezenekwe, described the appointment as a possible “very bad mistake” by Governor Soludo.
According to him, the appointee is not a good fit for now for Soludo, judging by his past records.
Mr. Ezenekwe further cautioned that the appointment of Emeakayi as Special Adviser on Community Security may spell doom for the Soludo Administration.
In his post, captioned “Insecurity in Anambra”, Ezenekwe wrote:
“Gov. Charles Chukwuma Soludo may have just made a very bad mistake in his good hearted intention to checkmate insecurity in Anambra State.
“His recent appointment of Ken Emeakayi as special adviser on security matters may spell doom for Soludo’s administration.
“Ken Emeakayi was part of the team that was responsible for the grand failure witnessed under the Mbadinuju administration.
“Ken Emeakayi is not a good fit for now for Soludo.”
A viral publication from another source also recalls Prince Emeakayi’s failed attempt sometime in 2009 to scuttle or frustrate Governor Soludo’s February 2010 gubernatorial ambition under PDP; while another viral publication recalls his heroic security deeds and gallantry, especially that of August 2022 when the security men under his leadership dislodged and destroyed many unknown gunmen’s camp in his hometown, Okija.
These views and counter-views notwithstanding, it is generally believed that many fresh appointees come with fresh ideas.
In the view of this, therefore, Prince Emeakayi, the die is cast!
