OBINNA UCHENDU Abakaliki
The Suspended Commissioner For Special Duties and Focal Person, Ebonyi Indigenes In Diaspora, Mr. Valentine Okike-Uzor has revealed that, the State Governor, Francis Nwifuru took the decision to suspend some Commissioners, Senior Special Assistants, Special Assistants and Permanent Secretaries because many State Executive Council Members habitually stay away from Government functions.
Mr. Okike-Uzor berated the opposition voices for making attempt to misinform and deceive Ebonyi people and maintained that the suspension was not as a result of EXCO members not attending a Birthday party as being insinuated in some quarters.
He made the disclosure in a statement signed by him and made available to journalists in Abakaliki, the Ebonyi State Capital.
Mr. Okike-Uzor said, “Opposition voices have taken to the social media and in their attempts to twist facts, have posted lies about the official engagement that resulted in the suspension of some of the State officials in which I am also involved.
“Some said it was a birthday party while others painted all shades of falsehood just to soothe their mischief. These are not true. The suspension was not as a result of birthday as was posted on the internet.
“Let me say it that, it’s the prerogative of the governor to designate any engagement as official and once it’s manifested , it becomes and the Governor doesn’t need to consult books to do that. That is his exclusive discretion.
“However, It was just unfortunate that some are affected by the stroke of bad luck for that particular day but the truth is that, a number of the EXCO members have habitually stayed away from government functions even as the governor has in many occasions encouraged them to always attend state functions.
“Some would just come , show presence and sneak out even while the governor is still sitting.
He also expressed dismay that some State Executive Council Members stroll into a State function when the State Governor was already seated noting that it is against government protocol.
“It’s actually out of protocol to come to a function after the governor is seated and even leave before the function is over and whilst he is still at the venue .
“It was just a sheer bad luck that a few who do not miss functions were caught in the web for this particular engagement that resulted in the suspension but we have to take the punishment in good fate because we erred.
Mr. Okike-Uzor further said, “Governor Nwifuru is the only governor who would tolerate this attitude for this long because he is very accommodating, not that he is weak but he believes that together, we can build Ebonyi of our dream .
“He finds it extremely difficult to punish than correct and as a Servant-Leader, he is not quick to anger. He is very patient . He has been very exceptional of which we are grateful and he has been correcting and encouraging a good number of us in the EXCO.
He maintained that the State Governor does not condone crime but believes that the law should take its cause.
“So I can say that the action of the governor on the defaulted Cabinet members is well deserving. Not attending government functions is a major breach of trust and responsibility and the proper sanction would have been more grave than just suspension.
“I believe It’s made to make us sit up. Other governors would have just sack them outrightly but he believes as a father , he needs to use carrot and stick approach to nurture his children.
“So let’s not join in circulating what is flying on the internet. Those are conjectures and do not represent the true position of things. Ends.
