In line with earlier predictions that Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodinma would undertake cabinet reshuffle, a minor shake up has been observed.
According to details from Government House, Owerri, two commissioners and Senator Special Assistants have swapped offices.
A release from the Governor’s office removed Hon Kingsley Ononuju from Ministry of Commerce and Industry to Special Duties, while Simon Ebegbulam formerly of Special Duties takes the office. Ononuju is to become the new Special Duties Commissioner.
Similarly, Chief Regis Uwakwe who had been Senior Adviser, SA, Special Duties to the governor now takes over as Special Adviser, market and Allied matters originally occupied by Chief Blyden Amajirionwu. Amajirionwu moves to Special Duties.
Trumpeta learnt that the changes are with immediate effect.
Apart from what prompted the changes which government claimed was a move to strengthen the administration, it was however gathered that Uzodinma embarked on the reshufflement to save his administration embarrassment those in charge of Commerce and Industry Ministry and Market and Allied Matters Bureau have caused.
To avoid further negative image and publicity those in charge have attracted to the Uzodinma government, a change in baton had to be effected.
Findings by this newspaper showed that there had been altercation between the Commissioner in charge of the Ministry and SA incharge of Market and Allied Matters over who controls markets in the state capital and other parts of the state.
The frosty relationship between the two officials serving one government reached alarming stage when they took to the public to make claims. The public display of claims was said to have angered the governor prompting the reshuffle.
In most cases, the media was awash with claims and counter claims by the two officials who it was also alleged embarked on verbal exchanges that resulted to fits cuff.
Agents of the governor who were alarmed by the development however pushed for their removal to restore sanity in the system.
