In a bold move to enforce discipline and accountability within his administration, Ebonyi State Governor, Rt. Hon. Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, has suspended 87 government officials for failing to attend a key official function.

The suspended officials include:

• 25 Commissioners
• 14 Senior Special Assistants
• 24 Special Assistants
• 22 Permanent Secretaries

According to a statement released on Monday night by the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Monday Uzor, the suspensions take immediate effect, with all affected officials barred from performing official duties or signing documents during the one-month suspension period.

“The Governor of Ebonyi State has directed that the underlisted government functionaries proceed on a one-month working suspension without salary for failure to attend an important government function,” Uzor stated.

• Commissioners are to hand over immediately to their respective Permanent Secretaries.
• Suspended Permanent Secretaries are to relinquish all administrative responsibilities for the duration of the suspension.

Uzor reaffirmed the Governor’s zero-tolerance approach to dereliction of duty, emphasizing his commitment to high standards of governance.

“The Governor remains firm in his resolve to ensure that public officials uphold the highest standards of responsibility, discipline, and dedication to duty in the service of the people of Ebonyi State.”

List of Suspended Official

Commissioners (25)

Engr. Stanley Lebechi Mbam, Prof. Leonard Uguru, Dr. Mathew Nwobashi, Prof. Nwogo Obasi, Hon. Victor Chukwu, Engr. Jude Okpor, Barr. Ikeuwa Omebe, Hon. Chidi Onyia, Chief Oguzo-Offia Nwali, Dr. Ben Uruchi Odo, Dr. Donatus Ilang, Dr. (Mrs.) Ngozi Obichukwu, Dr. Moses Ekuma Ikenna, Chief Richard Idike, Barr. (Mrs.) Felicia Nwankpuma, Hon. Chinedu Nkah, Engr. Ogbonna Obasi Abara, Mrs. Nkechinyere Iyioku, Engr. Francis Ori, Hon. Tochukwu Okorie, Barr. Valentine Okike Uzo, Chief Sunday Inyima, Hon. Ogbonnaya Okorie, Chief Elechi Elechi, Hon. Stanley Ogbuewu

Senior Special Assistants (14)

Hon. Bassey Chukwu, Mrs. Rose Ofoke, Mr. Kerian Ofoke, Hon. Anthony Nwegede, Hon. Onu Nwonye, Mrs. Lilian Nwachukwu, Mr. Fred Nwogbaga, Hon. Paul Nwogha, Hon. Pius Nwoga, Hon. Ali Ikechukwu, Hon. Nwiboko Chukwuma, Mrs. Esther Nwogha, Barr. Caleb Onwe, Hon. Chinedu Awo

Special Assistants (24)

Mr. Mbam Emmanuel, Tobias Ogbonna, Easy Okike Uzo, Obinna Oko Enyim, Chima Nnachi Okoro, Nwali Amechi, Dr. Sabinus Nwibo, Okorie Jideofor, Sunday Ogenyi, Stanley Kamani, Ikechukwu Jideofor, Emeka Okpa Onwe, David Aja, Frank Uka, John Nwangbo, Ogbonna Melford Nwuruku, Ifeanyi Ujebe, Chima Ogbuagu, Kizito Nwenyi, Uwa Henry Ifeanyi, Elechi Okechukwu Solomon, Ibina John Ogbonna, Mbam Ifeanyi D, Nwigum Nonso Christian

Permanent Secretaries (22)

Dr. Lawrence Ezeogo, Dr. Isioma C. Arunne-Inyang, Mrs. Rose Ibe, Mrs. Ogechi Nwobasi, Mrs. Anwu Theresa, Dr. Lynda Alo, Mr. Monday Nkwuda, Mrs. Mary Ngozi Otozi, Mrs. Martina Obiya, Mrs. Ogechi Anaso-Kalu, Barr. Emmanuel Onwe, Mr. Henry Nworie, Mrs. Joy Mbam, Mrs. Henrietta Ikechukwu Oruh, Barr. Peter Ede, Dr. Gabriel Odo, Mrs. Mfon Williamson, Ms. Alusi Felicia, Mrs. Betty Uzoma, Engr. Chukwuma Ojeogu, Barr. Ikechukwu Alobu, Mr. Fidelis Nwankwo

The sweeping suspensions have triggered mixed reactions from political observers and citizens alike. While some commend the Governor’s tough stance on public accountability, others question whether the punishment fits the offense.

This mass suspension sends a strong signal to public officials across Ebonyi State: Governor Nwifuru expects nothing less than full commitment to duty.