By Lawrence Njoku
Frequent suspensions and dismissals of appointees in Ebonyi State are raising concerns about the stability and effectiveness of the Governor Francis Nwifuru-led administration, LAWRENCE NJOKU reports.
Apprehension is mounting among residents of Ebonyi State over Governor Francis Nwifuru’s frequent suspension and dismissal of political appointees since assuming office in 2023.
The governor’s approach to governance, particularly his swift hire-and-fire style since taking office, marks a significant departure from the state’s political tradition. For a state proudly known as the “Salt of the Nation” since its creation on October 1, 1996, such an aggressive approach is widely viewed as unprecedented, raising concerns about stability, continuity, and the broader implications for public administration.
Although the 1999 Constitution (as amended) clearly outlines the powers of the President and state governors to appoint and remove members of their cabinets, thereby reinforcing the wide-ranging executive authority vested in those offices, the application of such powers often raises political and governance questions.
Under Section 147(1), the President is empowered to appoint ministers, subject to confirmation by the Senate, while Section 147(2) authorises the assignment of specific portfolios to them. Crucially, Section 147(3) grants the President discretion to remove any minister at any time, underscoring the breadth of executive control over cabinet composition.
Similar provisions operate at the state level. Section 192(1) empowers governors to appoint commissioners, subject to confirmation by the State House of Assembly, while Section 192(2) allows them to allocate portfolios. Section 192(3), in turn, provides governors with the authority to remove commissioners whenever they deem necessary.
Beyond these provisions, Section 5 of the Constitution vests executive powers of the federation in the President and those of the states in the governors, including authority to appoint and dismiss public officials in the course of governance.
Taken together, these provisions leave little doubt that both the President and governors possess constitutional backing to hire and fire members of their cabinets as part of their executive responsibilities.
However, while the actions of Governor Nwifuru may fall squarely within the ambit of the law, the frequency and pattern of such decisions have sparked unease within the state’s political space.
For many appointees, the climate has bred uncertainty, with fears over who might be next to be shown the exit door. Within political circles, concerns extend beyond legality to the broader implications for governance stability and policy continuity. Many argue that nearly three years into Nwifuru’s administration, Ebonyi has yet to reach the level of progress many residents expected.
There are also lingering questions about the underlying rationale driving the governor’s decisions. Some stakeholders wonder whether repeated removals point to gaps in the initial selection process, while others speculate that the governor may be operating a political or administrative framework that many appointees have yet to fully understand.
In a state where political calculations often shape governance outcomes, the unfolding pattern has unsettled appointees and ignited debate over its potential impact on political careers and broader dynamics ahead of the 2027 contests.
His latest directives on Sunday, March 1, 2026, ordering the indefinite suspension of two commissioners, Stanley Mbam, Commissioner for Works, and his counterpart in the Ministry of Infrastructure Development, Ogbonnaya Obasi Abara, set the media space abuzz and triggered widespread reactions.
A statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Monday Uzor, announcing the decision, accused the affected commissioners of dereliction of duty.
They were directed to hand over all government property in their custody, including official vehicles, to the Secretary of the State Government.
Before the suspension of Mbam and Abara, Nwifuru had suspended nearly 87 appointees in January this year for failing to attend a government function. Around the same period, the governor was also reported to have dissolved the entire political and traditional leadership structure of Amasiri Community in Afikpo Local Government Area following a violent attack on Okporojo Village in Oso Edda Community, Edda Local Government Area, during which four persons were reportedly beheaded.
Prior to the sanction against Mbam and Abara, a viral video had captured Nwifuru lamenting how the Commissioner for Works allegedly misled him about the progress of a road project leading to an industrial centre in the state.
During a visit to the site for the flag-off of the industrial city project, the governor expressed shock that work on the drainage system was still ongoing, contrary to the commissioner’s earlier claim that the project had been completed five months earlier.
Earlier, at the end of a State Executive Council (SEC) meeting in the first week of February, Nwifuru issued a three-month ultimatum to some commissioners to complete ongoing projects or face sanctions.
Those given the ultimatum included the Commissioners for Works, Infrastructure, Water Resources, Environment, Commerce and Industry, Housing, and Special Duties.
However, this was not the first time the governor sanctioned his appointees.
In March 2025, Nwifuru suspended three commissioners over absenteeism. Less than 24 hours later, he dismissed two other aides, a Senior Special Assistant on Security and a Special Assistant on Airport Security, for alleged cultism.
The governor’s disciplinary actions did not end there. In July last year, he ordered the suspension of 87 top government officials for failing to attend “an important official function.” The important function was the burial ceremony of a close friend of the governor.
Although the governor was represented at the event by his deputy, he allegedly directed that attendance be recorded. The following day, he announced the suspension of those absent.
The affected officials included 25 commissioners, 14 senior special assistants, 24 special assistants, and 22 permanent secretaries.
The statement announcing the suspension listed their names and directed them to proceed on a one-month working suspension without salary.
More recently, following a violent attack on Okporogo Village in Oso Edda Community, Edda Local Government Area, where four persons were reportedly beheaded, the governor dissolved the entire political and traditional leadership structure of Amasiri in Afikpo Local Government Area.
Nwifuru visited the community the day after the incident. After touring the area, he announced the suspension of his appointees from the community, including traditional rulers.
At several fora, the governor has explained that imposing sanctions on appointees is part of efforts to compel them to respond to the demands and responsibilities of their offices.
He has also described some of their actions as “sabotage,” insisting that his administration would not derail in its determination to achieve its goals.
Nwifuru, who has recently faced criticism over the number of youths in his government, acknowledged that despite efforts to empower and prepare them for leadership, many have failed to live up to expectations.
“Even our youths are not prepared to be men because many of them, if you give them jobs, they will not do them. They are not prepared; they want easy money,” he stated.
Yet, there are questions over how well the governor knew the individuals he appointed shortly after assuming office in 2023. Were the appointees imposed on him, or were they his personal choices? And how did he fail to ascertain their competence before assigning responsibilities?
One critical implication of the hire-and-fire approach, analysts argue, is the negative signal it sends to citizens and professionals. Many established technocrats are reportedly becoming reluctant to offer their services under the current administration.
A party member, who declined to be named, told The Guardian that the governor’s approach is unprecedented not only in Ebonyi but nationwide.
Another member of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), however, believes the governor is on the right course.
“This shows that Governor Nwifuru did not seek permission from any godfather before making appointments, just as he does not require endorsement to remove appointees. This cannot happen in some states where governors cannot dismiss aides without recourse to powerful interests,” he said.
According to him, the political implication is that Ebonyi is operating free of godfather influence, giving the governor room to exercise authority independently.
Development and impact on governance
Those familiar with his political trajectory argue that his long involvement in Ebonyi politics should have ordinarily given him deeper knowledge of the political environment and the capabilities of individuals within it.
Perhaps one source of Nwifuru’s apprehension toward some appointees is the perceived slow pace of governance, which many attribute to the perceived lackadaisical attitude of certain officials.
More than two years into the administration, critics argue that no major or legacy project has been commissioned, while overall government output is widely perceived as underwhelming.
There are also allegations that nepotism, compensatory appointments, and the promotion of political dynasties, rather than merit and grassroots participation, may have contributed to the administration’s alleged poor performance.
A lawyer, Dennis Ikeze, noted that Nwifuru was among the first governors to appoint and swear in commissioners shortly after assuming office. He explained that although the governor was sworn in on May 29, 2023, he inaugurated his first set of commissioners on June 20.
“For me, the early appointments demonstrated readiness to commence governance without delay. Some governors took more than three months to appoint commissioners. What is worrisome now is that the rush may not have helped him. Many believe the situation arose because he attempted to promote inclusiveness by creating portfolios that did not previously exist,” Ikeze said.
The property lawyer added: “Among the South-East states, Ebonyi is the only one that has not showcased significant projects so far, even though the government belongs to the All Progressives Congress (APC). With limited opposition, governance should be smoother.
It is not enough to belong to the ruling party; citizens must feel the government’s impact.
It is troubling that legacies of the previous administration are still the most visible achievements.”
The Good Governance Advocate, Nwoba Nwoba, argued that the governor appears uncomfortable with his administration’s performance record as the next election cycle approaches.
According to him: “It may have become clear to the governor that some of those he appointed are self-seeking agents. But he must also be careful of the hire and fire approach because of the political implications now that elections are drawing closer.”
Nwoba, a former member of Ebonyi APC, added that Ebonyi remains one of the few states where no major project has been commissioned in the past year.
“We are talking about someone who controls billions of naira in revenue. You are expected to take full charge of those working under you, knowing that the people entrusted you with their mandate,” he said.
The governor may therefore have to manage the situation carefully through the remainder of his first term, and possibly a second term if re-elected in 2027.
However, a Chartered Administrator and Chief Executive Officer of Drumbeat Ventures, Clinton Egwu, warned that frequent hiring and firing during an electioneering period could send negative political signals.
According to him, such a pattern risks distracting the administration at a time when governance focus is most needed.
Egwu added that Nwifuru could still alter the trajectory of governance by gradually bringing in individuals committed to excellence and measurable performance.
Interestingly, none of the suspended or dismissed appointees has openly challenged the sanctions imposed on them. Instead, many have publicly praised the governor as a “leader and father,” pledging continued loyalty and support for his administration.
Yet the broader question remains: what impact has the cycle of suspensions and dismissals had on governance and on the administration’s capacity to deliver the promises made during the 2023 election campaign?
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