The suspended Ebonyi State Commissioner for Special Duties and Focal Person for Indigenes in the Diaspora, Mr. Valentine Okike-Uzor, has defended Governor Francis Nwifuru’s decision to suspend 87 top government officials, including commissioners, senior special assistants, special assistants, and permanent secretaries.
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In a statement issued on Friday and made available to journalists in Abakaliki, Okike-Uzor dismissed speculations that the mass suspension was linked to non-attendance at a birthday celebration. He described such claims as “mischievous fabrications” being peddled by opposition voices.
“Opposition voices have taken to social media to twist the facts and post lies about the official engagement that led to the suspension of some state officials, myself included,” he said. “Some claimed it was a birthday party, while others pushed various shades of falsehood to suit their mischief. These claims are untrue.”
He clarified that the event in question was an official function, duly designated as such by the governor, and emphasized that Governor Nwifuru has the sole discretion to determine what qualifies as an official government event.
“Once the governor designates an event as official, that’s final. He doesn’t need to consult any book to do that. It is his exclusive discretion,” Okike-Uzor stated.
According to him, the decision to suspend the officials was a result of persistent absenteeism from official functions, despite several warnings from the governor. He lamented a growing trend where some aides “sneak out” of events while the governor is still present or arrive after him and leave before the conclusion of state functions.
“These actions are clearly against government protocol. Some just show up briefly and disappear. Others show up late or leave prematurely. It’s a breach of trust and responsibility,” he noted.
While describing the suspension as “unfortunate,” Okike-Uzor acknowledged that the disciplinary action was necessary and justified.
“It’s unfortunate that a few who rarely miss government functions were caught in this particular web, but we must accept the punishment in good faith. We erred,” he said.
He commended Governor Nwifuru for his leadership style, calling him a patient and accommodating servant-leader who opted for a measured response rather than outright dismissal of the affected officials.
“Governor Nwifuru is the only governor who would tolerate such an attitude for this long — not because he is weak, but because he believes in building Ebonyi together. He has been very encouraging and patient with members of the exco,” he said.
Okike-Uzor concluded by urging public servants in the state to uphold their duties diligently, warning that the governor would no longer condone irresponsibility.
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