‘Cabinet reshuffled not driven by poor performance’, Ebonyi govt clarifies
Politics
Abakaliki, Ebonyi – Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State has approved a comprehensive cabinet reshuffle, strategically redeploying several commissioners to align portfolios with individual professional strengths and enhance overall governance efficiency.
The governor meticulously considered the professional backgrounds, experience, and comparative advantages of the council members before approving the redeployments.
This exercise, according to the government, is aimed at maximising administrative output and accelerating the implementation of the administration’s People’s Charter of Needs agenda.
Commissioner for Information and State Orientation, Ikeuwa Omebeh, who briefed journalists after the State Executive Council meeting, stressed that the reshuffle was not driven by poor performance.
“This is not about non-performance or removing anyone from office. It is about deploying people to ministries where their expertise and experience can be better utilised in the interest of the state,” Omebeh stated.
The changes followed the swearing-in of two new commissioners Omari Omaka and Sylvester Nwenu Nwite who were immediately assigned substantive portfolios. Omari Omaka takes charge of the Ministry of Tertiary Education, while Sylvester Nwenu Nwite heads the Ministry of Environment.
Key redeployments among existing commissioners include:
• Chidiebere Onyia: From Ministry of Solid Mineral Development to Ministry of Youth and Sports Development
• Ajuka Obasi Nwogo: From Ministry of Market Development to Ministry of Skill Acquisition
• Prince Richard Idike: From Ministry of Youth and Sports Development to Ministry of Capital City and Urban Development
• Sunday Elechi Inyima: From Ministry of Capital City and Urban Development to Ministry of Project Monitoring
• Ngozi Obichukwu: From Ministry of Aviation to Ministry of Special Projects
• Magnus Chinedu Nka: From Ministry of Water Resources to Ministry of Solid Mineral Development
• Victor Uzoma Chukwu: From Ministry of Environment to Ministry of Water Resources
• Okwu Oko Udu: To head the Ministry of Market Development
Several commissioners retained their portfolios, including Ben Uruchi Odoh (Justice), Ikeuwa Omebeh (Information and State Orientation), Stanley Ogbuewu (Culture and Tourism), Donatus Ilang (Primary and Secondary Education), Elechi Nnanna Elechi (Trade and Investment), Jude Okpor (Rural Development), Oguzor Offia Nwali (Commerce and Industry), Solomon Azi (Grants and Donor Agencies), Collins Emeka Igboke (Transportation), and Chinwe Deborah Okah (Budget and Planning).
Governor Nwifuru has directed immediate handing-over and taking-over processes, with a deadline of close of work on Tuesday, June 30, 2026.
On the status of the Ministry of Aviation, Omebeh clarified that the ministry has not been scrapped. It will continue to function under its Permanent Secretary pending further directives from the governor.
The administration described the exercise as a proactive step to inject fresh momentum into governance and deliver more effective service to the people of Ebonyi State.
