Two commissioners have resigned from the Abia State Government.
The commissioners, Chima Oriaku (Science and Technology) and Monica Ironkwe, Professor (Agriculture), tendered their resignation letters on Wednesday, PREMIUM TIMES has learnt.
The commissioners gave no reason for his resignation.
The commissioner resigned just 24 hours after state Governor Alex Otti threatened to fire any government official involved in “unhealthy practices” in the state.
Dismissal or resignation?
There was speculation that Governor Otti fired the commissioners and then asked them to resign honorably so as not to embarrass them.
PREMIUM TIMES could not independently confirm the speculation.
However, Ukoha Njoku, the governor's spokesman, refuted the speculation, insisting that the commissioners had resigned from their positions and had not been sacked.
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In a statement on Wednesday, Mr. Njoku said the commissioners “have submitted their letters of resignation” to the governor.
“The executive governor thanked them for their service and sacrifice to the state and wished them the best in their future endeavors,” he said.
Departure of government officials
This is not the first time officials have left the Abia State government under Mr Otti’s administration.
PREMIUM TIMES reported that Mr Otti, in early June, suspended the state's Health Commissioner, Ngozi Okoronkwo, for “serious misconduct”.
At the time of filing this report, Ms. Okoronkwo had not yet been summoned.
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In late June, the governor also fired his former spokesman, Kazie Uko, although he later suggested that Uko had merely been reassigned to another undisclosed position.
Days later, he sacked almost all the permanent secretaries and the head of service of the Abia State Civil Service.