BY: JANE UKONU
There are strong indications that Governor Hope Uzodinma has shelved plans to make further appointments in his administration after the Supreme Court Review on Imo governorship election.
The apex court had on February 18 adjourned to March 2 to hear application filed by Emeka Ihedioha seeking for review of the judgement that sacked him as Governor.
Uzodinma arrived Owerri last Friday to attend the funeral of Senator Benjamin Uwajumuogu alongside other eminent Nigerians including the Senate President, Ahmed Lawan.
He has been out of the State for two weeks after returning from Ethiopia with President Muhammadu Buhari, where alongside other Federal Government officials attended the African Union Summit.
Supporters, loyalists and associates of the Governor who have been expectant of appointments for over a month Uzodinma was installed as Governor by the Supreme Court, are said to have become “uneasy” over the delay.
The Imo State House of Assembly had last month approved the appointment of 12 Special Advisers. The Governor has not taken advantage of the approval.
On assumption of office,he had appointed Secretary to the State Government, Chief of Staff, State Commissioner of Justice and Chief Press Secretary. Since then, he has not made further appointments.
A source in Government circle said the delay in appointments is predicated on the ongoing review of the judgement of the Supreme Court which sacked Ihedioha and installed Uzodinma as Governor on January 14, 2020.
The source said “How can you be talking of appointments when the Supreme Court is taking a second look at it’s verdict which made Uzodinma Governor
“After the Review by the Supreme Court, we will have some peace, then one can now focus in making appointments
Another top level source said the delay is to ensure good hands are brought on board to aid the Governor deliver his promises to the people of Imo State.
Meanwhile, this newspaper learnt that the delay in appointments has further increased the intensity of the lobbying for positions by appointment seekers in Uzodinma’s cabinet.
This newspaper had reported last week that core loyalists of the Governor will certainly get juicy appointments.
READ ALSO
