In a minor cabinet reshuffle, he announced that Mbam’s sack was connected with his health challenges but wished him speedy recovery.
Elechi noted that his former SSG was a dedicated and committed public administrator, stressing that he has worked with him so cordially for the past seven and half years.
Meanwhile, the governor has replaced him with the Secretary to Ebonyi State Founding Fathers Forum, Chief Boniface Chima.
In another development, the commissioner for Donor and Grants, Elder Fred Udeogu, has reportedly resigned his appointment, THISDAY has authoritatively gathered.
Udeogu thanked his former boss for giving him the opportunity to serve the state. But his resignation was seen as a big blow to Elechi’s government in lieu of the political struggle in the state.
Also, two Coordinators for Ohaozara Development Centre and Afikpo North East, Mr. Ogbonnaya Odi and Dr. Emma Kanadu respectively, have resigned their appointment, so that they can freely campaign for the PDP in next month’s election.
In their separate reactions, they stated that: “We decided to resign so that we can freely support our great party, PDP. We are not members of Labour Party but PDP. We believe that it is necessary that power should go the South senatorial district of the state and Dave Umahi is our candidate. We are with him and will support him till he becomes the next governor of Ebonyi State.”
Feelers from some quarters revealed that by this week, about five more state commissioners are likely to resign their appointment under Governor Martin Elechi’s administration in solidarity with the PDP governorship candidate, who last week begun his campaign to the 13 local government areas of the state.
Reacting, the state supervising Commissioner for Information, Dr. Ifeanyi Ike, described their resignation as an act of nobility adding that their decision was in line with constitutional provisions for those occupying public offices.
“It was noble for them to have resigned instead of staying inside and sabotage government. That is the present problem that is affecting this administration. They are free to do so; even the governor often times gives such opportunity to us commissioners. It is a welcome development”.
