APC Confirms Buhari Appointed Dead Lawmaker As FCC Member, Gives Reason For Mistake

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has reacted to the appointment of a ‘dead man’ from Ebonyi State as member of the Federal Character Commission (FCC) by President Muhammadu Buhari.

KanyiDaily recalls that President Buhari had on Tuesday, April 28, 2020, appointed late Chief Tobias Chukwuemeka Okwuru into the FCC board even when it was clear that he died on February 28, 2020.

Addressing journalists Wednesday, the APC Ebonyi State Chairman, Mr Eze Nwachukwu explained that Chief Okwuru was hale and hearty at the time he was nominated for the position by President Buhari.

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

The APC chairman faulted the party in Ebonyi, for not informing the relevant authorities on the death, and the deceased family for not making the death of Okwuru official.

“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.

“What happened is that in-between his nomination and letter conveying his nomination to the Senate, Okwuru painfully and sadly answered the ultimate call.

“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.

“It is not the fault of Mr President and the Presidency that Okwuru’s name later appeared in the nominees’ list.

“It is the fault of the party in Ebonyi for not informing relevant authorities on the death and we accept full responsibility whole-heatedly even though it is not intentional or deliberate, but rather caused by what I have enumerated above.

“We want to put it clear that Mr President has not appointed any ‘dead man’ from Ebonyi,” Nwachukwu said.

Late Chief Okwuru was the pioneer majority leader of the Ebonyi House of Assembly, who represented the Ezza South/Ikwo Federal Constituency at the 7th House of Representatives (2011-2015).

Meanwhile, KanyiDaily had also reported how CJN Tanko Muhammad appointed over 10 ‘dead and retired’ judges as members of election tribunal.