Why Uzodimma Fired 20 Commissioners |The Source

By Adesina Soyooye

In a move that took even his closest aides and associates by surprise, Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodinma, on Wednesday, stopped short of sacking all members of his 28- member cabinet in a major Cabinet shake-up.

The members themselves were relaxed, as they thought the Governor had laid to rest the idea of the dissolution of his Cabinet.

They had expected the dissolution a few months ago, but in a minor reshuffle at the time, only two Commissioners were affected – the Commissioners for Finance and Health.

But on Wednesday during the weekly State Executive Council meeting, Uzodinma swept 20 of them away, and retained eight. The eight retained are the Commissioners for Information and Strategy, Works, Women Affairs, Technology, Finance, Health, Sports and Tourism.

Speculations have been rife over why he fired the 20. While some people say it was for political exigencies, others say it was for non-performance. However, it is every Governor’s prerogative to either sack or reshuffle his cabinet.

But a source close to the Governor said given the political situation in the State, and political realignments ahead of 2023, the Governor needed to accommodate other interests in the party. With the dissolution, the source said, the Governor can pick political appointees from different  political interests.

Another source said: “I am happy for the Governor because, now, every segment will be on board.

Uzodinma, aside from the strong opposition from the PDP over the way he became the Governor, thanks to the Supreme Court, is also facing opposition from former Governor of the State,  Senator Rochas Okorocha,  for stripping him of some of his alleged looted State assets,  former Senator Ifeanyi Ararume, for not supporting his Senatorial aspiration, and their groups.

It is expected that the Governor will, also, either sack or reshuffle his other Aides – Special Advisers, Senior Special Assistants and Special Assistants.