The Secretary to the Ebonyi State government (SSG), Professor Benard Odoh, has resigned.
He said his action was the sequel to alleged wrongdoings of the state Governor David Umahi, especially in the handling of his cabinet members.
In a 3-page resignation letter he wrote and tendered to the governor, which was made available to newsmen in Abakaliki, Odoh said it was no longer comfortable for him to continue to work with a government that did not offer a conducive atmosphere for all members of the cabinet to air their views.
“In my opinion, this is the highest level of hypocrisy and the values I live do not allow me to operate in such deceptive atmosphere where people live opposite of what/who they are.
“Having assured you (Umahi) on my inception of office and at several times that I owe you the responsibility to be truthful and honest always, I wish to inform you that all is not well in your administration sir.
“If you observe carefully, almost all your appointees are nearly completely disconnected from your policy direction as they lack genuine sense of purpose, dignity, clear sense of commitment to the decision taken in Council because of low morale.
“Once more, on behalf of my family, friends and those who worked closely with me for almost three years now, I want to most sincerely again say thank you very much for the rare opportunity you offered me to serve our dear state.
“I am fully aware of the consequences of my action knowing full well that you will go after me, my immediate family and those that served with me in line with your principle of ‘crushing and grinding’ whoever that differs with your ideologies and aspirations as has been demonstrated in recent times, but be assured that the will of God would always prevail in all situation and circumstance.
“My appointment as the Secretary to the State Government is hereby resigned in good faith. I have handed over the status of cabinet office to the most senior staff office, Barrister Ogbonnaya Otta in line with the best practices of service”, Odoh’s letter to Governor Umahi read.
Following his resignation, the governor has announced the appointment of Dr. Hyginus Nwokwu as the new SSG.
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politics