The wheels of governance in Imo State have hit a sluggish pace following the mass dismissal of over 500 aides by Governor Hope Uzodimma, just 24 hours after his second-term inauguration.
The extensive sack included Commissioners, Special Advisers, Senior Special Assistants, and Special Assistants, marking a significant reduction in the size of the state government apparatus.
Uzodimma had been leading the most bloated government in the South East, by engaging the highest number of aides and state officials.
Analysts argue that this bloated structure had been draining the state’s already limited resources, as the aides were consistently paid their monthly pay.
The removal of these political appointees has resulted in an observable deceleration in the pace of governance.
INNONEWS observed that while civil servants continue to diligently perform their duties, the absence of political appointees has created a void in the administrative machinery.
Furthermore, with Governor Uzodimma reportedly on vacation, the Government House in Owerri is no longer the bustling hub for political appointees as it once was.
The fear of not being reappointed looms over the sacked officials, given speculations that the Governor aims to reshape his administration by bringing in professionals and technocrats.
The intense lobbying for reappointment by those who were let go suggests a sense of uncertainty regarding the timeline for the reconstitution of the new cabinet.
Despite the Governor’s assurance in his farewell speech to the dismissed appointees that those who performed exceptionally well might be considered for recall, the actual timeframe for the formation of the revamped cabinet remains unclear.
The vacuum left by the departed political appointees raises questions about the immediate future of governance in Imo State and the strategic direction that Uzodimma envisions for his second term.
