By Ayo Kehinde
Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru of Ebonyi State has suspended 85 top government officials for one month without pay. The disciplinary action was taken after they failed to attend an important state function.
The directive, which takes immediate effect, was issued on Monday, July 28, 2025, and made public through a statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Dr Monday Uzor.
Those affected included Commissioners, Senior Special Assistants (SSAs), Special Assistants (SAs), and Permanent Secretaries, cutting across various ministries, departments, and parastatals in the state civil service.
Political pundits describe the suspension as Governor Nwifuru’s response to his aides’ lackadaisical attitude. It’s viewed as a move to entrench discipline and ensure zero tolerance for truancy, dereliction of duty, absenteeism, and lack of accountability in governance.
According to the Governor, attendance at official events is not just a routine requirement but a demonstration of loyalty and commitment to public service and the people of Ebonyi State.
“The Governor is determined to instil discipline and restore full commitment among government officials in line with the Renewed Hope mandate. Absenteeism at state functions undermines the collective goals of this administration”, the statement read in part.
Full List of Suspended Officials
HONOURABLE COMMISSIONERS
1. Engr. Stanley Lebechi Mbam
2. Prof. Leonard Uguru
3. Dr Mathew Nwobashi
4. Prof. Nwogo Obasi
5. Hon. Victor Chukwu
6. Engr. Jude Okpor
7. Barr. Ikeuwa Omebe
8. Hon. Chidi Onyia
9. Chief Oguzo-Offia Nwali
10. Dr Ben Uruchi Odo
11. Dr Donatus Ilang
12. Dr (Mrs) Ngozi Obichukwu
13. Dr Moses Ekuma Ikenna
14. Chief Richard Idike
15. Barr. (Mrs.) Felicia Nwankpuma
16. Hon. Chinedu Nkah
17. Engr. Ogbonna Obasi Abara
18. Mrs Nkechinyere Iyioku
19. Engr. Francis Ori
20. Hon. Tochukwu Okorie
21. Barr. Valentine Okike Uzo
22. Chief Sunday Inyima
23. Hon. Ogbonnaya Okorie
24. Chief Elechi Elechi
25. Hon. Stanley Ogbuewu
SENIOR SPECIAL ASSISTANTS
1. Hon. Bassey Chukwu
2. Mrs Rose Ofoke
3. Mr Kerian Ofoke
4. Hon. Anthony Nwegede
5. Hon. Onu Nwonye
6. Mrs Lilian Nwachukwu
7. Mr Fred Nwogbaga
8. Hon. Paul Nwogha
9. Hon. Pius Nwoga
10. Hon. Ali Ikechukwu
11. Hon. Nwiboko Chukwuma
12. Mrs Esther Nwogha
13. Barr. Caleb Onwe
14. Hon. Chinedu Awo
SPECIAL ASSISTANTS
1. Mr Mbam Emmanuel
2. Mr Tobias Ogbonna
3. Mr Easy Okike Uzo
4. Mr Obinna Oko Enyim
5. Mr Chima Nnachi Okoro
6. Mr Nwali Amechi
7. Dr Sabinus Nwibo
8. Mr Okorie Jideofor
9. Mr Sunday Ogenyi
10. Mr Stanley Kamani
11. Mr Ikechukwu Jideofor
12. Mr Emeka Okpa Onwe
13. Mr David Aja
14. Mr Frank Uka
15. Mr John Nwangbo
16. Mr Ogbonna Melford Nwuruku
17. Mr Ifeanyi Ujebe
18. Mr Chima Ogbuagu
19. Mr Kizito Nwenyi
20. Mr Uwa Henry Ifeanyi
21. Mr Elechi Okechukwu Solomon
22. Mr Ibina John Ogbonna
23. Mr Mbam Ifeanyi D.
24. Mr Nwigum Nonso Christian
PERMANENT SECRETARIES
1. Dr Lawrence Ezeogo
2. Dr Isioma C. Arunne-Inyang
3. Mrs Rose Ibe
4. Mrs Ogechi Nwobasi
5. Mrs Anwu Theresa
6. Dr Lynda Alo
7. Mr Monday Nkwuda
8. Mrs Mary Ngozi Otozi
9. Mrs Martina Obiya
10. Mrs Ogechi Anaso-Kalu
11. Barr. Emmanuel Onwe
12. Mr Henry Nworie
13. Mrs Joy Mbam
14. Mrs Henrietta Ikechukwu Oruh
15. Barr. Peter Ede
16. Dr Gabriel Odo
17. Mrs Mfon Williamson
18. Ms Alusi Felicia
19. Mrs Betty Uzoma
20. Engr. Chukwuma Ojeogu
21. Barr. Ikechukwu Alobu
22. Mr Fidelis Nwankwo
Governor Nwifuru has reiterated his resolve to reposition Ebonyi State for effective service delivery and warned that future acts of negligence or disloyalty will be met with even stiffer sanctions.
