Governor Alex Otti of Abia State has ordered the reversal of all command promotions granted within the state’s civil service over the past eight years.
Command promotions refer to special promotions granted by the governor, typically reserved for exceptional cases or merit-based advancements.
In a circular issued by Dr. Mrs. N. Q. Obioma, the Head of Service, the state government mandates all affected public servants to revert to their former ranks and salary grades prior to the April 2023 promotions.
The decision, effective from July 1, 2024, seeks to uphold the integrity of the public service by ensuring adherence to established Public Service Rules and Regulations, the government said.
According to Dr. Obioma, the measure is intended to restore normalcy, seniority, and the sanctity of service, which had been compromised over time.
The circular reads, “Consequently, all Command Promotions granted in the past eight (8) years before the inception of the present administration, to both individual Public Servants and the entire workforce (in April 2023) are hereby cancelled.
“All the affected staff are hereby directed to reverse to their former rank and salary grade level before the Command Promotions under reference. Such staff will henceforth progress through the normal promotion processes as enshrined in the Public Service Rules and Regulations.
“This is aimed at restoring normalcy and seniority in the service, as well as the sanctity of the service which were eroded over time.
“Accordingly, Permanent Secretaries, Heads of Ministerial and Non-Ministerial Departments are directed to ensure strict compliance with this directive, and forward to the Office of the Head of Service corrected copies of their 2024 Nominal Rolls in both hard and soft copies, reflecting the reversion.”
Otti’s predecessor, Okezie Victor Ikpeazu, was in office from May 29, 2015 to May 29, 2023. He was elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party. Otti is a member of the Labour Party.