“Why My Health Commissioner Resigned” – Governor Otti

By Akinwale Kasali

Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has finally broken his silence over what led to the resignation of Dr. Ngozi Okoronkwo, his  Commissioner of Health. The Governor disclosed that that the former Commissioner abused some procedures in the discharge of her duties.

Before her forced resignation,  Okoronkwo had been suspended from office over alleged “gross misconduct”

Responding to questions from journalists at a media parley in Umuahia, Abia State Capital, Governor Otti exonerated Okoronkwo of any financial impropriety, but explained that she decided to throw in the towel on her own volition.

According to the Governor, the committee set up to investigate her after she was suspended, did not find her guilty of any financial impropriety or theft.

”Her resignation has been received and accepted. Before she resigned, the committee set up to investigate her turned in its report.

”Going through the report, there was no financial impropriety established but there were conducts that were not consistent with laid down policies and procedures.

”But since she offered to resign, Government decided to accept her resignation.

” I want to repeat: There was no stolen money; money was not mismanaged but there were procedures that were abused, and we didn’t think that that was enough for more than a reprimand or warning or caution but she chose to throw in the towel, and Government decided to accept her resignation”.

The Governor added that the disengagement of Town Planning Authorities in Obingwa, Osisioma, Aba North and Aba South Local Government Areas was not an issue as the affected staff were not civil servants but only contract staff.

As regards the conduct of a Local Government Election, the Governor said the state would soon present a draft bill before the House of Assembly for the amendment of the State LG Electoral law.

He explained that as soon as that is done, and the necessary changes effected, the State would then hold Council poll.

”The timetable for Council Election is not yet out. We believe things needed to be changed in the electoral law.

”In the next few days, we will be approaching the House of Assembly to change a few things, and make the conduct of the election as seamless as possible”, Otti said.