Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State has ordered the arrest of six commissioners and several contractors accused of delaying key government projects. The governor also directed security agencies to detain the Chairman of Afikpo Local Government Area, Mr. Timothy Nwachi, for allegedly failing to ensure the timely completion of housing projects meant for victims of communal crises.
The affected commissioners include Professor Omari Omaka (Tertiary Education), Victor Chukwu (Environment), Ifeanyi Ogbuewu (Culture and Tourism), Uchenna Igwe (Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters), Dr. Moses Ekuma (Health), and Felix Igboke (Project Monitoring).
The arrest order follows a report accusing these officials of working against the state government’s efforts to deliver essential projects. The governor’s decision marks a continuation of his strict approach to governance, as he has previously taken disciplinary action against officials failing to meet their responsibilities.
Governor’s Frustration Over Delayed Projects
The order was made public on Tuesday by Dr. Ilang Donatus, Chairman of the State Council Committee on Izzo and Amaze Housing Projects, during a press briefing in Abakaliki, the state capital.
Dr. Donatus explained that the government had lost patience with the slow progress of critical infrastructure projects. “The governor is not happy with the pace of the work, which ought to have been completed by now. The government has decided to clamp down on the contractors and commissioners mandated to supervise these projects,” he said.
According to him, Governor Nwifuru is particularly frustrated because the housing units were meant to provide relief to displaced victims of communal crises in the state. “Our governor is a man with a passionate heart. He likes giving succour, hence the building of these houses for the victims. He is not happy that the project is delayed and has ordered the arrest of the commissioners responsible for ensuring its speedy completion,” Donatus added.
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Previous Disciplinary Actions
Governor Nwifuru has demonstrated a no-nonsense approach to governance since assuming office. His latest crackdown comes just weeks after he suspended three commissioners—Solomon Azi (Grants and Donor Agencies), Victor Chukwu (Environment), and Ikeuwa Omebe (Rural Development)—on March 18, 2025, for absenteeism from official duties.
Less than 24 hours after their suspension, the governor dismissed two of his aides, Nnannna Nwangele (Special Assistant on Airport Security) and Felix Okemini (Senior Special Assistant on Security, Ebonyi North), for gross misconduct.
With this latest move, Governor Nwifuru has sent a strong message that his administration will not tolerate inefficiency, contract breaches, or any form of sabotage against government projects.
Residents of Ebonyi have reacted to the development with mixed feelings. While some praise the governor’s firm stance against corruption and negligence, others believe the situation could have been handled with better communication and stricter monitoring instead of mass arrests.