By Mimi Chiadikaobi
The Anambra State House of Assembly Committee Chairman on screening and election matters, Mr Pius Okoye, has said that, the 18 Commissioner nominees were all screened and cleared based on merit.
Okoye, who is also the deputy speaker of the house, denied claims that nomination and clearance of Mrs Esther Onyekesi as commissioner nominee for Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development was not based on sentiment for abduction and death of her son on July 26, 2025 .
The deputy speaker made the clarification in an interview with newsmen in Awka.
He said that the death of her son, Ifesinachi, a fish magnet and content creator did not influnce her nomination and clearance.
Okoye explained rather that her ideas to make a difference in the ministry, committment in good governance and brillant performance during the screening earned her the position.
Okoye said that all the commissioner nominees sent to the state assembly by Gov. Charles Soludo, for confirmation are egg heads.
He said that they all scaled through the screening process successfully without any reason to face disqualified .
Okoye said the two-day screening exercise was indeed very tasking, noting that the committee carefully scrutinised the nominees to ascertain their suitability for their respective new offices.
He said that the commissioner nominees were persons of cedible character and integrity, whom he believes will not fall short of expectations of the citizenry in their new assignments.
He, therefore, described them as round pegs in round holes, adding that the governor did a thorough investigation in his present selection.
“The nominees are well equipped with the know-how and expertise to key into the governor’s vision for Anambra State new era, ” he said.
He said that their responses to questions posed on them showed that they are fully prepared for the task ahead and determined to bring in fresh ideas on developmet table of the state.
Okoye disclosed that a total pf 21 members brainstormed to bring out the best of the nominees to shun appointment without merits.
According to him, the 13 committee members were drawn across political party divides and that eight other members were co-opted to ensure that no sentiment but merit based brand commissioners emerged for the state growth and development.
The deputy speaker noted that the report of the screening exercise would be made open to the public timely and hoped that the zeal to work in the nominees during screening will play-out positively.
Okoye assured the Anambra populace that the committee was not biased and that he is equally confident that they would carry out their duties diligently to the benefit and betterment of Anambra citizen
