Governor of Imo State, Owelle Rochas Okorocha Tuesday sacked six of his serving commissioners who have indicated interest to contest various elective positions in the state ahead of the 2015 election.
The affected commissioners include the commissioner Industry and Non-formal Sector, Mrs. Ugochi Nnannah-Okoro and commissioner Internal Resources and Pension Matters, Mr. Nick Oparandudu, who are aspiring to represent Imo East senatorial district (Owerri Zone); commissioner for Finance, Deacon Chike Okafor and commissioner for information, Dr. Theodore Ekechi who are angling to be in the House of Representatives in 2015.
Others are the commissioner for public utility, Dr. Ifeanyi Nwachukwu and commissioner for primary, secondary and non-formal education, Dr. Uche Ejiogu who are aspiring to be in the House of Assembly.
In a release signed by the principal secretary to the governor, Dr. Pascal Obi and broadcast on the state-owned broadcast outfit Tuesday evening, Governor Okorocha directed the affected commissioners to hand over to the permanent secretaries in their ministries on or before the close of work on Friday, September 19.
The release thanked them for their services and commitment to the rescue mission administration and wished them well in their political pursuit.
Our reporter gathered that before he sacked the commissioners, the governor, informed them last week that he took the decision to ease them off to avoid the sledge hammer of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC on number of days allowed for office holders to quit and seek political offices.
Further reasons said to have been advanced by the governor for sacking them was to ensure Rescue Mission adherents have enough chances to strategise well and ensure that the opposition does not snatch power in 2015.
Apart from this, it was further gathered that the renewed directive may not be unconnected to the unconfirmed report that the governor wants to over haul his executive to usher in new blood to tackle 2015 election where he is expected to re-contest for a second tenure.
However, Government House sources revealed that the in-fighting and mutual suspicion that have been ravaging the executive council over the coming 2015 election may have spurred the governor into action to weed unwanted elements.
It was also observed that the distraction caused by political officers who abandon their offices for private politicking is said to be affecting business of government in government offices.
