Ebonyi Crisis: Governor Elechi Sacks SSG, Reshuffles Cabinet

Posted by African Examiner Featured, Latest Headlines, News From The State Monday, January 19th, 2015

Apparently no longer comfortable with the loyalty of some members of his executive Committee, Ebonyi state Governor, Martin Elechi, on Monday, sacked the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Chief Fidelis Mbam, as well as announce a minor cabinet reshuffle.

However, investigation by African Examiner reveals that the sudden shake- up, which came less than one week after the governor was booed and humiliated during President Goodluck Jonathan’s campaign rally in the state, is aimed at removing all the state government functionaries, loyal to Elechi’s political enemies, especially Secretary to Government of the Federation, SGF, chief Anyim Pius Anyim.

Under the shake- up the state Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Dr. Ifeanyi Ike, will oversee the Ministry of Information and State Orientation, while the Commissioner for Works and Transport, Mr. Chukwuma Nwandiugo will take charge of the Department of Petroleum, Pricing and Distribution.

The former Commissioner for Inter- party Dialogue Chief Jonah Egba, will now take over the Department of Grants and Donor Agency, and oversee the Department of Economic Empowerment and Poverty Reduction.

Also, the Commissioner for Environment, Dave Egbu, will now head Solid Minerals Development Department while his counterpart in charge of Border Peace and Conflict Resolution, Chief Donatus Ajah, moves over to the Ministry of Environment to be assisted by the incumbent Special Adviser (SA) on Project Monitoring, Felix Otah.

Though, the governor was economical with the truth over the sack, as he said he relieved Chief Mbam of the SSG position on health ground.

Meanwhile, Dr. Boniface Chima, who is now the new SSG, was until his appointment, secretary of Ebonyi Founding Fathers Forum. He is a retired federal civil servant.

Elechi, who swore in the new SSG at the Executive Chambers of Government House, in Abakaliki, commended Mbam for his dedication to service for almost eight years of his administration.

The governor, also announced the scrapping of the departments of Inter-party Dialogue and Border Peace and Conflict.