Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State has stunned the political class with the suspension of 85 top government officials, including 25 commissioners, 14 senior special assistants (SSAs), 24 special assistants (SAs), and 22 permanent secretaries, for failing to attend a critical government function. The suspension, announced on Monday, July 29, 2025, takes immediate effect and comes with one month’s forfeiture of salaries.
The action was confirmed in a statement issued by Dr. Monday Uzor, the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, who emphasized that the disciplinary measure was consistent with the administration’s commitment to accountability and institutional discipline. The sanctioned officials were accused of failing to honour an undisclosed but “highly important” state event that demanded their presence.
Among those suspended are high-ranking officials like Engr. Stanley Lebechi Mbam, Prof. Leonard Uguru, Dr. Mathew Nwobashi, Dr. Mrs. Ngozi Obichukwu, and Chief Richard Idike, alongside a long list of directors, advisers, and bureaucrats tasked with key sectors across health, education, works, and internal governance.
Governor Nwifuru, who has consistently called for a more responsive and visible executive workforce since taking office in May 2023, is said to be furious over what insiders described as a “collective display of indifference” to the administration’s vision. Analysts have called the mass suspension one of the boldest accountability moves in recent Nigerian governance.
“This is not about punishment; it’s about leadership,” said a source within the Ebonyi State Executive Council. “We have a governor who is setting a new tone. If you are part of this administration, you must show up. The era of ghost presence is over.”
Reactions have been pouring in across Ebonyi political circles and social media. While some critics say the move was too drastic and might cripple key state operations temporarily, others hailed it as long overdue. “Let them feel what civil servants feel when they’re left unpaid or neglected,” tweeted one resident. “No one is above duty.”
The suspended officials are expected to remain off-duty until August 29, 2025, while replacements or interim arrangements are reportedly underway to keep essential services running. The development has sent shockwaves across other states, with many watching closely to see if Nwifuru’s model of public service discipline gains national traction.
