Suspended Ebonyi State Commissioner for Special Duties and Focal Person for Ebonyi Indigenes in Diaspora, Barrister Valentine Okike-Uzor, has declared his full support for Governor Francis Nwifuru’s recent decision to suspend 25 commissioners and over 60 government officials for absenteeism at state functions.
In a statement released on Saturday in Abakaliki, Okike-Uzor clarified the reasons behind the mass suspension, debunking trending rumors on social media that the officials were penalized for failing to attend a birthday party. He described such claims as “falsehood” peddled by political opponents aiming to mislead the public.
According to Okike-Uzor, the governor’s decision was not arbitrary but a long-overdue response to a consistent pattern of indiscipline and disregard for protocol by members of the State Executive Council. He noted that while some affected officials may have been unfortunate to be caught in the latest incident, the suspension was a necessary disciplinary step to restore order and respect for governance.
He emphasized that the event in question was an official engagement designated by the governor, who holds the exclusive authority to determine what qualifies as a state function. “The Governor doesn’t need to consult any manual to define his official functions. It is entirely his prerogative,” Okike-Uzor stated.
Expressing frustration over recurring lapses, the suspended commissioner revealed that several EXCO members habitually arrive late to state events or leave before the governor, violating standard protocol. He condemned this behavior as a breach of public trust and noted that Governor Nwifuru had shown unusual patience before taking disciplinary action.
“Some EXCO members just show up to register presence and sneak out even while the governor is still seated. That is a total disregard for government protocol,” he lamented.
Despite being personally affected by the suspension, Okike-Uzor acknowledged the governor’s fair-minded leadership style, describing him as a servant-leader who prefers correction over punishment. He applauded the governor’s decision to adopt a “carrot and stick” approach rather than an outright dismissal of the defaulting officials.
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He maintained that the governor’s action was not just justified but necessary to instill discipline in the cabinet. “Not attending government functions is a major breach of trust and responsibility. The punishment could have been more severe. This is a wake-up call,” he said.
Okike-Uzor concluded by urging the public to ignore misleading narratives online and trust the administration’s intentions, reaffirming his loyalty to Governor Nwifuru’s vision for a united and disciplined Ebonyi State.
The mass suspension has triggered widespread discussions across the state, with many residents watching closely to see what long-term reforms will emerge from the incident. Governor Nwifuru, elected on a mandate to strengthen governance and accountability, appears to be drawing a clear line on expectations from public officials.
