JUST IN: Ebonyi Gov, Nwifuru Suspends Another Commissioner

The Governor of Ebonyi State, Francis Nwifuru, has announced the suspension of another commissioner, Uchenna Igwe, due to alleged gross misconduct and failure to fulfil his responsibilities.

Naijaonpoint reports that the development was announced on Tuesday (today) during a press briefing at the Governor’s office located in New Government, Ochudo Centenary City, Abakaliki, the state capital.

Igwe, who served as the commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, has been suspended indefinitely, effective immediately.

Reports indicate that the commissioner did not adequately execute a task assigned to him by the Governor regarding the payment of local government pensions by a council chairman within the state.

This suspension marks the fourth instance of recent commissioner dismissals.

It is noteworthy that Governor Nwifuru had previously suspended commissioners for housing and urban development; water resources; and imposed a three-month suspension on the health commissioner, all due to dereliction of duty and gross misconduct.

He emphasized that his administration remains dedicated to fulfilling the people’s charter of needs.

Meanwhile, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has criticized the Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Nwifuru, over the threat to sack striking workers over the non-implementation of the N70,000 new minimum wage.

Naijaonpoint reported that Nwifuru, while addressing journalists on Monday in his office at the new Government House, Centenary City, Abakaliki, threatened to withhold the workers’ salaries and replace them after their dismissal.

The Governor said the state government does not owe any worker, stressing it has also approved ₦75,000 as minimum wage and has already started paying.

However, in a statement by NLC President, Joe Ajaero, the labour body described the Nwifuru’s threat as irresponsible and urged state workers to intensify the strike.

The NLC noted that the Governor should invite the state’s labour leaders for dialogue to speed up the resolution of the minimum wage issue and not intimidate them with threats.