The decision of the governor of Abia State, Dr. Alex Otti to retain the Clerk of the Abia State House of Assembly, Mr. John Pedro Irokansi; and Mrs. U. G. Uche Ikonne, widow of the Prof. Uche Ikonne, the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who died in the build-up to this year’s election, as Solicitor General of the state, has generated mixed reactions among political watchers and residents of the state.
A statement Friday morning by Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Kazie Uko announced the suspension of the Head of the State Civil Service, Mr. Onyi Wamah; and all Permanent Secretaries in the state, asking them to hand over to the most senior person in their respective ministries. The statement however did not state the reason the governor decided to retain Irokansi and Ikonne in their various offices and positions.
The statement read: “Following the inauguration of the Judicial Panel of Inquiry on the Recovery of Properties and Funds belonging to Abia State Government, the Governor, His Excellency, Dr. Alex Otti, OFR, has directed the immediate suspension of the Head of Service (HOS) and all Permanent Secretaries in the State civil service.
“Consequently, the Governor has approved the appointment of Lady Joy Maduka, Director, Ministry of Education, as Acting Head of Service (HOS). All the Permanent Secretaries, except the following: John Pedro Iroakazi – Clerk of the House; Mrs U. G. Uche Ikonne – Solicitor General. Others are by this notice directed to hand over to the most senior Director in their respective Ministries, Departments and Agencies. This directive takes immediate effect”.
But a political analyst, Mr. Chinagorom Peter expressed concern over the governor’s decision. “While we can pardon him that Mrs. Ikonne, who lost her husband and for people not to see it as vindictive, leaving out John Pedro Irokansi is considered as a kickback for the role he (John Pedro Irokansi) played in the emergence of the Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the State House of Assembly during the inauguration of the eighth Abia Assembly”, he alleged, while calling on Otti to redeploy or retire Irokansi having served as the Clerk of the Assembly for over 10 years.
