Ojukwu’s widow best S’East minister – APGA chairman

APGA National Chairman Sly Ezeokenwa

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The National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, Sly Ezeokenwa, has rated the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, as the best-performing member of President Bola Tinubu’s cabinet from the South-East.

Ezeokenwa gave the assessment in an interview with our correspondent in Abuja.

According to him, Odumegwu-Ojukwu has demonstrated “uncommon visibility and impact” since joining the cabinet.

“For us, we are very hopeful. We look to the future with optimism and hope. It is undeniable. Go to social media and see what people are saying about her.

“If there is one person who has impacted the administration of President Tinubu positively, it is Lady Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu. She is seen everywhere because she understands the significance of the foreign affairs ministry,” he said.

The APGA chairman added that her performance was strong enough for Tinubu to consider elevating her to a senior ministerial position.

“What I am even looking at is the possibility of Mr President elevating her to be the senior minister. That is because she is everywhere, and she has remained a positive face of Mr President’s administration,” he added.

Ezeokenwa explained that shortly after Tinubu’s inauguration, he had advised the President to appoint credible Nigerians regardless of party affiliation.

“If you recall, when I congratulated Mr President upon his assumption of office and swearing-in, I urged him to look beyond party lines in selecting credible officials.

“The moment you cross the threshold of election and get elected, your allegiance is now to the Nigerian people, not to the ethics or ideology of your party. There are credible Nigerians scattered across various political parties.

“So, Mr President has an avalanche of people to pick from. The most important thing is to bring in people who are progressive-minded, and there is no doubt that Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu is one,” he said.

Describing her as “a star of the East,” the APGA leader insisted she had outperformed other ministers from the region.

“You can call her the best-performing minister from the South-East. If anybody wants to contest it, let him show me a better-performing minister from the South-East than her — I am ready for that debate,” he added.

President Tinubu appointed six ministers from the South-East shortly after assuming office.

They are Minister of Works, David Umahi; Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji; Minister of Women Affairs, Uju Kennedy-Ohaneye; Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu; Minister of State, Labour and Employment, Nkiruka Onyejeocha; and Minister of State for Finance, Dr Doris Uzoka-Anite.

However, internal reshuffles, resignations and controversies have affected some of the ministers.

Uzoka-Anite served as Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment between August 2023 and October 2024, before being reassigned as Minister of State for Finance.

Nnaji, on the other hand, resigned from office unceremoniously following the controversy surrounding his certificate scandal. He has since been replaced by Kingsley Ude from Enugu State.

Kennedy-Ohaneye, one of the surprise additions to Tinubu’s cabinet, was relieved of her duties on October 23, 2024, alongside four other cabinet members.

Amid these shifts, Odumegwu-Ojukwu has maintained an active public profile, particularly through her diplomatic engagements and advisory roles.

The PUNCH journalist, Adebayo, has over 20 years of experience covering politics, health, metro, entertainment and properties

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