Abia Governor speaks on the dismissal of his spokesman and the suspension of his commissioner

Governor Alex Otti of Abia State has commented on the dismissal of his press secretary and the suspension of the state health officer.

PREMIUM TIMES reported that Mr Otti in early June exposed the state’s health commissioner, Ngozi Okoronkwo, for “gross misconduct”.

This newspaper also reported that the governor had also fired his spokeswoman Kazie Uko.

State Commissioner for Information Okey Kanu told PREMIUM TIMES on Wednesday evening that Governor Otti had “just replaced him (Uko) with Mr Ukoha Ukoha in order to reorganise his media team.”

The commissioner did not give a reason for his decision.

“It is a reorganization”

During a monthly media chat in Umuahia on Friday, Mr Otti claimed he had not sacked his former spokesman contrary to reports to the contrary.

The event was broadcast live by local radio and television stations.

A Video clip the event was also uploaded to Facebook.

“My answer to that is that I did not fire my former press secretary. What we did was reorganize.”

“There was a reorganization. Fresh blood was brought in. People were reassigned,” he said.

“And when you get an appointment, it is not a permanent appointment. Even my own appointment (as governor) is not permanent. In the next three years, the mandate you gave me will expire and I will have to apply again.”

However, the governor did not mention where he was transferring the former speaker.

“Suspended commissioner is being investigated”

Mr Otti further explained that the state’s Health Commissioner, Ms Okoronkwo, had not been dismissed but merely suspended for alleged gross misconduct.

“We have not established that the position has become vacant. I have already stated that the commissioner is suspended pending the completion of the ongoing investigation,” he said.

He added that there was nothing wrong with suspending an official and stated that the commissioner would be reinstated if she was acquitted of allegations of misconduct.

“I cannot declare the position (commissioner’s position) vacant unless the report comes in and shows that she is indicted,” the governor said.

Killing of soldiers: “We are getting feedback”

PREMIUM TIMES earlier reported that on May 30, five soldiers were killed by gunmen at Obikabia Junction, near Aba, the commercial centre of the state.

Speaking to journalists, Mr Otti stressed that his government was determined to find all those involved in the killing of the soldiers.

“This government takes security seriously. We have received feedback (about the soldiers killed),” he said.

“We have authorized Operation Crush to fight crime across the state.”