Umahi fires political appointees from Anyim’s LGA

David Umahi, governor of Ebonyi, has sacked his political appointees from Ivo local government area of the state where Pius Anyim, former senate president, hails from.

The removal of the appointees may be connected with the fallout between Umahi and Anyim.

Both men have been at loggerheads since Umahi defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Following his defection, Umahi had claimed that Anyim pulled out of their plan to defect to the ruling party because he visited President Muhammadu Buhari without him (Anyim).

But in an open letter on Monday, Anyim said Umahi was raising dust to “divert the attention of the public before I strike”.

The former senate president accused Umahi of making “utterly senseless” allegations against him, adding that the governor had “declared war on everyone who has refused to defect with him”.

In a statement on Wednesday, Kenneth Ugbala, secretary to the state government, said the removal of the appointees was based on the policy of inclusive governance by Umahi’s administration.

He said all the affected officeholders are expected to hand over all government property in their possession to the office of the SSG and coordinating commissioner.

“In keeping with the policy of inclusive governance, the Governor of Ebonyi State, His Excellency Engr Chief David Nweze Umahi has approved the removal from office of the following political office holders from Ivo Local Government Area,” the statement read.

“They are All Senior Technical Assistant, STAs and Technical Assistants, TAs from Ivo Local Government Area.

“All Liaison Officers from Ivo Local Government Area; All Management Committee members from Ivo Local Government Area.

“The affected office holders are to handover all Government Property in their possession to the Secretary to the State Government and Coordinating Commissioner by the close of work today, 2nd December 2020.”