Governor Nwifuru Suspends Ebonyi State Officials for Absenteeism at Key Government Event

Ebonyi State Governor, Rt. Hon. Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, has ordered the one month suspension without pay of over 85 government functionaries, including commissioners, senior special assistants, special assistants, and permanent secretaries, for failing to attend a critical government function.

The directive, which took immediate effect, was announced on Monday, with the Governor expressing displeasure over what he described as “gross dereliction of duty.”

According to a statement from Government House, the suspended officials are barred from signing any official document or participating in governmental activities during the suspension period. Additionally, all affected commissioners have been instructed to hand over responsibilities to their respective permanent secretaries.

Those Affected Include:

HON. 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 Nwachkwu
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. Tobias Ogbonna 
3. Easy Okike Uzo
4. Obinna Oko Enyim
5. Chima Nnachi Okoro
6. Nwali Amechi 
7. Dr. Sabinus Nwibo
8. Okorie Jideofor
9. Sunday ogenyi
10. Stanley Kamani
11. Ikechukwu Jideofor 
12. Emeka Okpa Onwe 
13. David Aja
14. Frank Uka
15. John Nwangbo 
16. Ogbonna Melford Nwifuru 
17. Ifeanyi Ujebe
18. Chima Ogbuagu
19. Kizito Nwenyi 
20. Uwa Henry Ifeanyi
21. Elechi Okechukwu Solomon 
22. Ibina John Ogbonna 
23. Mbam Ifeanyi D
24. Nwigum Nonso Christian

PERMANENT SECRETARIES
1. Dr. Lawrence Ezeogo
2. 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 emphasized the importance of discipline and accountability in public service, noting that attendance at key government functions is not optional but a constitutional duty for those in office.

“This action is not punitive, but corrective,” the Governor reportedly said, “Any official who undermines the work of this administration by their absence at crucial events must be ready to face consequences.”

The suspension marks one of the most sweeping disciplinary actions taken by a sitting governor in recent times and sends a clear message about the administration’s expectations on commitment to governance.