Posted on Apr 30, 2020

The All Progressives Congress has cleared the air on the alleged appointment of a ‘dead’ man from Ebonyi as a member of the Federal Character Commission.

The party made the clarification at a news conference on Wednesday in Abakaliki by the Ebonyi Chairman of the party, Mr Eze Nwachukwu.

This followed speculations that the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), had appointed the late Chief Tobias Okwuru Chukwuemeka into the FCC board who died early this year.

But Nwachukwu explained that Chief Tobias was hale and hearty at the time he was nominated for the position by President.

He blamed the family for not making the death of Okwuru official.

Nwachukwu said the nominee, unfortunately, passed away in February between the period he was waiting to be screened and confirmed by the Senate.

“Okwuru was nominated ‘a living man’ in January, healthy, hearty for the position and he updated and submitted all his necessary curriculum vitae by himself. “We accept responsibility and take the blame because as a party we are supposed to have written the national leadership of our party and the Presidency informing them on the demise of Chief Okwuru as a ranking party member.

“But unfortunately, the family has not made the death official and has not commenced burial arrangements before the coronavirus pandemic that led to lockdown, ban on burial and other social gatherings.

“So, it is the responsibility of the party to put the record straight and that is why we are using this medium to correct the erroneous impression.