Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru of Ebonyi State has suspended 87 senior government officials for failing to attend a significant state-organized function, in a disciplinary move that underscores his administration’s zero-tolerance stance on negligence and dereliction of duty.
The sweeping suspension was announced in an official statement released on Monday night by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Monday Uzor.
According to the statement, the affected officials span several critical levels of government, including 25 Commissioners, 14 Senior Special Assistants (SSAs), 24 Special Assistants (SAs), and 22 Permanent Secretaries.
Mr. Uzor explained that all suspended officials are to immediately commence a one-month working suspension without salary. During this period, they are barred from participating in any official government activity, particularly signing or authorizing public documents. The suspension, according to the release, takes immediate effect.
Additionally, the statement noted that all Commissioners among the suspended group have been directed to hand over their responsibilities to the Permanent Secretaries in their respective ministries to ensure that administrative operations continue without disruption.
“The Governor of Ebonyi State, Rt. Hon. Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru has directed that the underlisted government functionaries proceed on one-month working suspension without salary for failure to attend an important government function,” the statement read.
Among the more prominent individuals listed in the suspension order are:
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 Nwuruku
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. 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.
Mr. Uzor further emphasized in the statement that the Governor remains resolute in maintaining discipline and professionalism within the civil and public service. He reiterated the administration’s expectation that government officials must uphold the highest standards of responsibility, dedication, and ethical conduct in their service to the people of Ebonyi State.
Observers have interpreted the Governor’s action as a bold step to reinforce accountability and instil discipline in the public sector. The move, they suggest, sends a strong message that irresponsibility and absenteeism will not be tolerated, especially in a government that is keen on efficiency and responsiveness.
This is not the first time Governor Nwifuru has taken such stern measures. In March 2025, IREPORT247NEWS reported that the Governor had suspended three Commissioners for similar reasons—failure to attend a State Executive Council meeting.
The three officials suspended at that time included: Solomon Azi (Commissioner for Grants and Donor Agencies), Victor Chukwu (Commissioner for Environment), Ikeuwa Omebe (Commissioner for Rural Development).
Governor Nwifuru has, on several occasions, warned that absenteeism and complacency among government personnel would not be tolerated. He has consistently stressed the importance of discipline, active participation, and unwavering commitment to public duty as core values of his administration. Read here.
By holding senior government functionaries accountable, the Governor appears determined to reshape the work ethic of the public sector in Ebonyi State and to promote a culture of punctuality, duty-consciousness, and service delivery that aligns with the aspirations of the people.