Chukwuma Soludo has nominated Mrs. Esther Chinyere Onyekesi, mother of late businessman Martin Onyekesi, as Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development in the state.

Mrs. Onyekesi came into public focus last year following the tragic killing of her son, Martin Onyekesi, who was abducted by kidnappers from his residence and later found dead in another part of Awka before any ransom payment could be made. The incident sparked outrage across the state and triggered widespread protests, including demonstrations led by social media activist Martin Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan.

Amid attempts by some political actors to link the incident to politics, Mrs. Onyekesi, a women’s leader in All Progressives Grand Alliance, maintained that her son’s death was purely a criminal act and should not be politicized.

Her nomination is part of the first batch of 18 commissioner-designates forwarded by Governor Soludo to the Anambra State House of Assembly for screening and confirmation.

The list features a blend of returning and new faces, with only four former commissioners retained, while the majority are fresh nominees expected to steer key ministries in the state.

The nomination letter was formally received during plenary by Speaker Somtochukwu Nkem Udeze, marking the beginning of the confirmation process for the new cabinet members.