Umahi rejects SSG’s resignation, sacks him, wants him probed for alleged murder

Ebonyi State Governor, David Umahi has nullified his initial acceptance of a letter of resignation by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Professor Bernard Odoh, and subsequently dismissed him.

The governor thereafter ordered that the former SGG be thoroughly investigated for meddling in a murder case.

The SSG had in a letter he wrote to the governor and made available to newsmen on Monday announced immediate resignation from his office over claims that Umahi stifles his cabinet and does not allow them the opportunity to function as they are supposed to.

The state government had earlier on Monday, through the state Commissioner for Information, Emmanuel Onwe, confirmed the reception and acceptance of Odoh’s resignation and also announced Hyginus Nwokwu as the new SSG.

But in a sudden twist, Governor Umahi on Tuesday announced that he had nullified both the acceptance of Odoh’s resignation and the appointment of Nwokwu as the new SSG as both events took place on a public holiday.

He then announced the sack of Odoh and fresh appointment of Nwokwu as the new SSG to replace the sacked Odoh.

The governor made this known when over 20,000 Ezza indigenes paid him a visit at the Government House in Abakaliki.

He said, “When the resignation happened, senior members of my cabinet came together and said let’s accept the resignation and wish him well. But I knelt down and said Lord, my heart is clean before this young man and if I be called of God let us leave the matter before God.

“I had called him on Saturday and said my son, murder case is very bad and we are doing investigation. I want you to come and see me so I can speak with you and advise you as a father and he agreed.

READ ALSO: Ebonyi SSG accuses Gov Umahi of wrongdoings, resigns

“Initially he was denying that there was no problem but towards the end of our discussion he said to me that he would like to make one or two comments. But I said when you come you can make them. So, he switched off his phone till Monday.

“On Monday, he sent me a text that his health was failing him and that he was going to resign and he will let me know. Before you know, I started hearing and seeing that he has resigned on social media. So I am nullifying the acceptance that was done by government officials including the appointment of his replacement because they were all done on public holiday.

“But by the powers conferred on me as the governor of the state, I hereby announce the sack of Prof. Odoh as SSG and the investigation for meddling in murder case must be carried out thoroughly.”

 

RipplesNigeria… without borders, without fears

Click here to join the Ripples Nigeria WhatsApp group for latest updates.

Join the conversation

Opinions

Support Ripples Nigeria, hold up solutions journalism

Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs.

As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake.

If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause.

Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development.

Donate Now