Special Assistant on New Media to Ebonyi State Governor Francis Nwifuru, Leo Ekene Oketa, has clarified that the suspension of some Commissioners, Permanent Secretaries, and political appointees was due to their absence at a burial ceremony — not a birthday celebration or thanksgiving, as speculated.
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Oketa made the clarification in a post on his Facebook page, explaining that the Governor’s official assignment on Friday, July 25, 2025, was to attend a funeral in Abofia, Ebonyi Local Government Area, but his return from Abuja was delayed by Air Peace. Consequently, Governor Nwifuru instructed his Deputy Governor to represent him and directed that all senior government officials must be present, with attendance strictly taken.
Leo Ekene Oketa, SA on New Media to the Governor
According to Oketa:
“The SSA to the Governor on State Affairs went ahead and sent a notification that the Governor had directed that attendance be taken at the function.”
The following day, the Governor reviewed the attendance list and ordered the suspension of all those absent.
“This is not the first time the Governor has warned about government officials absenting themselves from state functions,” Oketa added. “This time, he had to act.”
The action has sparked mixed reactions online, with many linking the crackdown to broader concerns about public service discipline in Ebonyi State.
