Deputy Speaker Denies Commissioner’s Clearance For Son’s Death Compensation

By Mimi Chiadikaobi

The Chairman of the Anambra State House of Assembly Committee on Screening and Election Matters, Mr. Pius Okoye, has stated that the clearance of Mrs. Esther Onyekesi as Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development was not a form of compensation for the death of her son.

Okoye, who is also the Deputy Speaker of the State Assembly, said the 18 commissioner nominees screened and cleared by the House earned their positions strictly on merit.

He dismissed claims in some quarters that the nomination and clearance of Mrs. Onyekesi for the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development were influenced by sentiments arising from the abduction and death of her son on July 26, 2025.

The Deputy Speaker made the clarification during an interview with journalists in Awka on Saturday.

According to him, the death of her son, Ifesinachi, a fish merchant and content creator, did not influence either her nomination or clearance.

Okoye explained that her ideas for transforming the ministry, commitment to good governance, and brilliant performance during the screening exercise earned her the position.

He further stated that the 18 commissioner nominees sent to the State Assembly by Governor Charles Soludo of Anambra State for confirmation were highly competent individuals.

According to him, all the nominees successfully scaled through the screening process without any reason for disqualification.

Okoye described the two-day screening exercise as rigorous and demanding, noting that the committee carefully scrutinised the nominees to ascertain their suitability for their respective offices.

He said the commissioner nominees were persons of credible character and integrity who, in his view, would not fall short of the expectations of the people in their new assignments.

He therefore described them as “round pegs in round holes,” adding that the governor carried out thorough consultations and investigations before making the selections.

“The nominees are well equipped with the knowledge, competence, and expertise required to key into the governor’s vision for a new Anambra State,” he said.

Okoye added that the responses provided by the nominees during the screening showed they were fully prepared for the tasks ahead and determined to introduce fresh ideas for the development of the state.

He disclosed that a total of 21 lawmakers participated in the exercise to ensure that only the best candidates emerged and to avoid appointments not based on merit.

According to him, 13 committee members were drawn from different political parties, while eight additional members were co-opted to ensure that no sentiment influenced the emergence of the commissioners, but rather merit, competence, and the overall growth and development of the state.

The Deputy Speaker also noted that the report of the screening exercise would be made available to the public in due course.

He expressed optimism that the enthusiasm displayed by the nominees during the screening process would translate into positive performance in office.

Okoye assured the people of Anambra State that the committee acted without bias and expressed confidence that the nominees would carry out their duties diligently for the benefit and betterment of the citizens.