The Head of Service, Mrs. Rita-Mary Okoro, the senior special assistants on religious and welfare concerns, Rev. Fr. Abraham Nwali, and other individuals nominated by the outgoing governor, David Umahi, were all fired on Saturday, according to Ebonyi State Governor Francis Nwifuru.
Remember that Umahi appointed Okoro, Nwali, Commissioners for Workers and Transport, Ogbonna Abara, and Commissioners for Aviation and Technology, Mrs. Obianuju Alo, to collaborate with Nwifuru’s government on May 27, 2023, during a valedictory session of the executive council meeting.
Additionally, Umahi hired as consultants for the state government Special Assistant on Airport Project Frank Ngwu, Special Assistant on Ring Roads Felix Otta, and Commissioner for Trade and Investment Mrs. Chioma Nweze.
In a statement signed and provided to news crews in Abakaliki, the capital of Ebonyi State, by his press secretary, Monday Uzor, Nwifuru stated that the former governor had immediately terminated the aforementioned appointments.
He stated: “The termination of appointments of all political office holders appointed by the previous administration with immediate effect has been approved by the Governor of Ebonyi State, Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru.
“All the affected appointees are directed to hand over all government property in their possession to the most senior civil servant in their respective Ministries, Departments, and Agencies.”
Permanent Secretaries and holders of political office in the Civil Service Commission, Judicial Service Commission, Ebonyi State Independent Electoral Commission, and Anti Corruption/Public Complaint Commission were excluded from termination, according to Nwifuru.