Criticisms mount over Prof Joseph Utsev’s ministerial candidacy

The recent screening of ministerial nominees in the Senate has sparked an age controversy surrounding one of the nominees, Prof Joseph Utsev, IDOMA VOICE observed. 

As President Bola Tinubu submitted a list of 28 nominees for screening, little was heard about Utsev until his surprise announcement as a ministerial nominee by Senate President Godswill Akpabio. This unexpected nomination, especially considering his Tiv ethnicity, left many people in Benue State puzzled, as they had anticipated the next minister to be chosen from Benue South.

In the last administration of President Muhammadu Buhari’s second term, George Akume was selected as the minister from the state. When President Tinubu took office, Akume was elevated to the position of Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF).

As such, it was widely believed that the next ministerial position from Benue would go to someone from Benue South. Names such as Steve Lawani, Dan Onjeh, and Emmanuel Akpakwu were among those being considered by many for the ministerial position.

However, the hopes of these candidates and the people of Benue South were dashed when Prof Joseph Utsev, a relatively unknown figure, made the final cut. This decision raised eyebrows and fueled speculation about the criteria used for selecting ministerial nominees. Many questioned whether the nomination was based on merit, party loyalty, or mere mediocrity.

The age controversy surrounding Prof Utsev further intensified the debate. During the screening, Senator Mikhail Abiru (APC, Lagos) brought attention to the nominee’s Curriculum Vitae, which indicated that Prof Utsev started primary school at the age of three, completed primary education in 1989, and was born in 1980. This raised concerns and cast doubt on the accuracy of his academic records.

In response, Prof Utsev clarified that he was indeed born in 1980 and graduated with a First Leaving School Certificate in 1989. Senator Abba Moro (PDP, Benue) appealed to his colleagues to dismiss the discrepancy, attributing it to a typographical error.

Despite the explanations provided, the social media space has been abuzz with discussions about Prof Utsev’s qualifications and the fairness of his nomination. Some believe that for the sake of fairness and equity, the ministerial position should have gone to someone from Benue South, considering the region’s exclusion from such appointments in the recent past.

The controversy surrounding Prof Utsev’s age has raised legitimate concerns about the nomination process and the transparency of the selection criteria. It is essential for the Senate and the relevant authorities to conduct thorough checks on the qualifications of nominees to maintain the integrity of the ministerial screening process.

Moreover, the nomination of individuals for such critical positions should not be perceived as a mere reward for loyalty or party affiliation. Rather, it should be a demonstration of competence, experience, and a commitment to serve the nation diligently.