Abia governor fires his spokesperson

Governor Alex Otti of Abia State has sacked his Chief Press Secretary, Kazie Uko, after one year of service.

Uko, a journalist and public relations consultant, was appointed to the position in June 2023.

Abia State Commissioner for Information, Okey Kanu, on Wednesday night confirmed to PREMIUM TIMES the sacking of the governor’s spokesperson.

Kanu said Otti had appointed another person, Njoku Ukoha, as a replacement.

The commissioner said the dismissal of the spokesperson and the appointment of Mr Ukoha took immediate effect.

“The governor has just replaced him (Uko) with Mr Ukoha Njoku Ukoha in a bid to realign his (Otti) media team,” he told this newspaper.

He did not explain the reason for the former spokesperson’s dismissal.

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However, sources within the government circle told PREMIUM TIMES that Uko may have been fired over allegations that he had not been “combative” in his operation.

“That’s (being combative) what they need here. If you don’t attack people, then you’re not working,” one of the sources said.

Another source, who asked not to be identified, said the former spokesman was accused of frequently ignoring reporters’ questions.

First time

This is the first time Otti has fired his appointee since he was sworn in as governor on May 29, 2023.

Earlier this month, the governor suspended state Health Commissioner Ngozi Okoronkwo for “gross misconduct.”

He said the suspension of Ms Okoronkwo, a doctor, was going to pave the way for allegations of serious misconduct leveled against her to be investigated.

The governor did not elaborate on the allegations of serious misconduct against the suspended health commissioner.