GOVERNOR Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State is yet to form his cabinet over 100 days after assuming office. And nobody, not even the few aides so far appointed are able to hazard a guess as to when the governor will form his cabinet. All of them seem to be in the dark and political watchers are murmuring.
There are speculations that Ikpeazu is taking his time to know how the tribunal matter he is currently facing will end. But opinions are divided on this.
Some argue that his case in the tribunal should not stop him from constituting his cabinet to allow government go on full swing.
According to those in this school of thought, virtually all the governors elected in the last election have cases at the various tribunals, yet some of them like Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom have formed their cabinets.
However, those in the other school of thought argue that the man does not want to start and stop but wants to see the outcome of the matter in the court before taking serious actions.
There is also another group that thinks that Ikpeazu is using the delay in constituting his cabinet to cut the cost of governance and save money. They argue that the moment he forms his cabinet he will provide them with the necessary facilities to work, which will cost a lot of money.
Governor operates from Aba, shielded from old politicians
So, nobody can say for now the direction the governor is going regarding the appointment of his cabinet.
This is because it is not clear who the power brokers are.
Unlike in the past when various political stakeholders throng the Government House to influence appointments, the Umuahia Government House is more or less deserted. The fact that the Governor still operates from Aba may be a factor. Even in Aba, information has it that the Governor is always shielded from people regarded as old politicians.
Power brokers
For now, immediate former Governor, Senator Theodore Orji, who Governor Ikpeazu defers to, is said to be one of those who could influence appointments in the state. Theodore Orji played very crucial roles to ensure that Ikpeazu emerged as governor.
However, it is certain that Ikpeazu’s Ngwa clan will have a lot of influence on the issue. This is the first time an Ngwa stock is at the helm of affairs in the State.
Also, another group of people considered to be very influential and may form the bulk of the cabinet or make strategic input in the selection is the Lagos-based Ngwa Professionals led by a business mogul, Chief Sunny Aku.
Already, it is being speculated that this group has been in charge, advising the governor on various issues.
All the same, while the waiting game lasts, Abia people are eager to have a full Government in place to accelerate the pace of development.
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