The Governor of Abia State, Dr. Okezie Victor Ikpeazu, has approved the immediate dissolution of all Political appointees in the State.
Those affected include; Special Assistants, Senior Special Assistants, Special Advisers and Technical Officers. thereby increasing the number of appointees sacked by the governor after his failed senatorial election and his inability to install his successor.
The sack was made public by the Secretary to the State Government, Barrister Chris Ezem.
The governor thanked them for their contributions and services to the state and wished them well in their future endeavors.
The governor further directed the State Accountant General to ensure immediate payment of March 2023 stipends to all the appointees.
Meanwhile Governor Okeize Ikpeazu and governor-elect, Dr Alex Otti have clashed over claims of job racketeering allegedly being masterminded by the outgoing governor.
The clash over the job recruitments came after Dr Otti raised alarm that some persons are being recruitment into government establishments by officials of the Ikpeazu led administration.
The alleged recruitments is coming against reports of months of outstanding salaries owed civil servants in the state. Dr Ikpeazu has, however, denied the claims of salaries owed civil servants saying that salaries were only owed to parastatals many of which he said are revenue generating.
Alex Otti alleged that a bazaar of illegal employment was going on in different ministries and parastatals with the beneficiaries being issued backdated employment letters.
“This action which is geared towards laying a needless landmine for the incoming government has shown how unpatriotic and selfish the perpetrators are,” Otti said.
However, reacting to the claims, the governor’s press secretary, Onyebuchi Ememanka, in a statement, described the allegations as preposterous and anachronistic.
Ememanka said Ikpeazu remained the governor till May 29, and had the powers to perform his constitutional assignments including job administration until the advent of the Otti administration.
While denying any such employment programme in Abia, Ememanka said actions performed by the governor were deemed constitutional.