Ben Ezechime, Enugu
There is anxiety, confusion and jitters in Enugu State following the directive by outgoing Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi to all political appointees to handover on or before May 26, 2023 ahead of the expiration of the second tenure of his administration on May 29.
The directive was conveyed through the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Prof. Simon Ortuanya, when the SSG met with Heads of Boards, Parastatals, Agencies and Commissions.
The SSG listed the affected political appointees to include all Commissioners of Ministries, Special Advisers (SPAs) to the Governor, Chief Executive Officers of Government-owned Companies, Senior Special Assistants (SSAs) to the Governor and Special Assistants (SAs) to the Governor.
Others are Technical Assistants to the Governor, Technical Assistants to Commissioners, Technical Assistants to Special Advisers, Technical Assistants to Enugu State House of Assembly Members, Board Chairmen and Board Members of Government-owned Companies, Executive Secretaries of Parastatals or Government-owned Companies, and State Project Coordinators of World Bank-Assisted Projects.
The SSG said “the above mentioned political appointees are to hand over their affairs to the Permanent Secretary or Director of Administration or Director of Personnel Management, as the case may be.”
The state government also directed all civil servants holding political positions to return to their parent ministries.
Prof. Ortuanya explained that the decision was in line with established procedure, as the second tenure of Gov. Ugwuanyi expires on May 29, 2023.
“Enugu State Government expresses gratitude and sincere appreciation for the contributions you have rendered towards the development of the state. The state wishes you well in your future endeavours,” he said.
However, some board executives of some parastatals whose tenures were yet to expire are panicking and making frantic calls to confirm if they were part of the governor’s directive.
One of them who spoke to Ikengaonline on telephone said he was yet to know if he was involved in the sack.
“My appointment letter read four years tenure and I have just spent one year; I have made calls to confirm if I am involved,” he said under condition of anonymity.
Another CEO of a parastatal also said she was appointed just six months ago for a tenure of three years expressed her confusion over the matter.
“So I don’t know what will happen next, may be I will see the SSG himself to clarify the issue,” she said.
