ABAKALIKI, NIGERIA — Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Nwifuru, has sacked the Commissioner for Works, Stanley Lebechi Mbam, with immediate effect.
The announcement was contained in a statement issued on Friday by the Secretary to the State Government, Professor Grace Umezurike, in Abakaliki. The statement did not disclose the reason for the sack.
“The Governor of Ebonyi State, His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, has approved the immediate removal of the Commissioner for Works, Hon. Stanley Lebechi Mbam, from office,” the statement read.
The statement directed the sacked commissioner to hand over all government property in his possession to the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Works, who will oversee the affairs of the ministry pending the appointment of a new commissioner.
“The former Commissioner is hereby directed to hand over all government property in his possession to the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Works, who will oversee the affairs of the ministry pending the appointment of a substantive commissioner,” the statement added.
The governor thanked the sacked commissioner for his services to the state and wished him well in his future endeavours.
The sudden removal of the Works Commissioner has sparked speculation in political circles, with many wondering what might have prompted the decision. The Ministry of Works is a critical portfolio in Ebonyi State, responsible for road construction, infrastructure development, and other capital projects.
Some sources within the government hinted that the sack might be connected to the slow pace of work on some key road projects in the state, while others suggested it could be related to internal political wrangling within the ruling All Progressives Congress in the state. However, there has been no official confirmation of these claims.
The sacked commissioner, Stanley Lebechi Mbam, is a prominent politician from Ebonyi North Senatorial District and had served in the administration since Governor Nwifuru assumed office in 2023. His removal comes barely a week after the governor threatened to sack council chairmen who fail to deliver their areas for the APC in the 2027 elections.
The development has created a sense of uncertainty in the Ministry of Works, with staff and contractors awaiting further directives from the government. It remains to be seen who will be appointed as the new commissioner and what direction the ministry will take under new leadership.
Political analysts have noted that Governor Nwifuru’s decision reflects his determination to ensure accountability and performance in his administration. They, however, cautioned that frequent changes in key positions could affect the continuity of projects and the morale of the workforce.
As the state awaits the appointment of a new Works Commissioner, the focus will be on ensuring that ongoing projects are not abandoned and that the ministry continues to function effectively. For now, the Permanent Secretary will hold the fort, and the governor is expected to announce a replacement in the coming days.
