ICYMI: Soludo Sacks Political Appointees 24 hours after swearing-In

Soludo has sacked all political appointees 24 hours after swearing in.

NewsRain Nigeria reports that Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State has directed all political appointees to hand over their duties with immediate effect.

The directive was conveyed in an official circular issued yesterday by the Office of the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), instructing affected appointees to transfer responsibilities to Permanent Secretaries or, in their absence, the most senior civil servant in their respective Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).

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This was as his Cross River counterpart, Bassey Otu, directed all members of the State Executive Council (SEC) and political appointees intending to contest in the 2027 general elections to resign from office on or before the end of the month.

According to the memo from Anambra SSG, the handover is to be completed on or before the close of work yesterday, pending the constitution of a new cabinet.

“I am directed to inform all political appointees to hand over to the permanent secretaries or the most senior civil servant in the various MDAs on or before the close of work today… until a new cabinet is constituted,” the statement reads.

The government further directed all first-term cabinet members to meet with the governor on Monday, March 23, 2026, by 10 a.m. at the ANSEC Chambers.

The circular was signed by the Permanent Secretary, Office of the SSG, Dr. Nwabufor Nwankwo.

The development signals the formal dissolution of the existing cabinet and marks the beginning of a fresh administrative cycle under Soludo, as he prepares to reconstitute his executive team for the new term.

OTU, during a meeting of Cross River SEC yesterday, stressed the importance of focus, propriety, and ethical governance.

“Any member of this Council, who harbours political ambitions for the 2027 elections must, in the interest of propriety and focus, tender his or her resignation on or before (the end of) March 2026,” Governor Otu declared.

He described public office as a sacred trust, emphasising that officials must not conflate their responsibilities with personal political pursuits.

A statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary and Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Governor, Linus Obogo, quoted Otu as saying: “Public office is a sacred trust.

It must not be conflated with personal political pursuits. We owe our people undivided attention, and this administration will not compromise on that principle.”

Governor Otu further explained that the directive was aimed at ensuring undistracted governance at a critical period for the state.