By Izunna Okafor, Awka
Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo has ordered all political appointees serving in the Anambra State Government to immediately hand over their official responsibilities, a directive that effectively dissolves the first-term cabinet and signals the beginning of a new administrative phase following his inauguration for a second term in office on Tuesday.
The directive, which came less than 24 hours after the governor and his deputy, Dr. Onyekachukwu Ibezim, took oath of office for another four-year tenure, was conveyed through an official communication from the Office of the Secretary to the State Government, instructing commissioners, special advisers, senior aides and other political office holders to relinquish their positions without delay.
According to a circular signed and made available to newsmen on Wednesday by Hon. Dr. Nwabufor Nwankwo, the Permanent Secretary, Office of the Secretary; all affected appointees are to hand over to the Permanent Secretaries in their respective Ministries, Departments and Agencies; or in situations where there is no Permanent Secretary, to the most senior career civil servant available, pending the constitution of a new cabinet. The circular noted that the handover must be concluded before the close of work on the same day, showing the manner of urgency attached to the transition process.
This reporter, Izunna Okafor, gathered that the decision was in line with established administrative practice at the commencement of a new tenure, which requires the dissolution of political appointments to allow the governor reassess the structure of government and select a new team to drive the next phase of his agenda.
The move, it was further gathered, does not necessarily imply that all former appointees will be dropped, but creates room for performance review, restructuring and possible re-appointment where necessary.
The circular also directed members of the just-dissolved cabinet to assemble at the ANSEC Chambers on Monday, March 23, for a meeting with the governor, which is believed to be part of consultations ahead of the announcement of fresh appointments.
Sources have it that the meeting is expected to provide the governor an opportunity to appreciate the outgoing officials, review the achievements of the first tenure and outline expectations for the next phase of governance, as starting with a clean slate gives the administration flexibility to reposition key ministries and agencies in line with the priorities of the new term.
