Ex-SSG misled me into sacking commissioner, Gov Umahi admits

Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi state, has admitted being misled by former Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Benard Odoh, to relief former Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Chief Moses Ogodo Ali Nomeh of his job.
Nomeh was sacked on second week of April, while Odoh was disengaged in the first week of April, this year.
Before his sack, Nomeh was suspended and recalled and later posted to Ministry of Agriculture, while the then Commissioner of Agriculture, Barr.
Uchenna Orji was transferred to the environment ministry.
However, briefing journalists after the state executive council meeting, the governor through his information commissioner, Senator Emmanuel Onwe, said the sacked commissioner was to submit himself to the state House of Assembly for real screening.
But swearing him as a cabinet member for the second time yesterday, the governor commended him for his comradeship, noting that his earlier dismissal was borne out of a secret discussion he had with the former SSG.
“I want to commend you for your character; actually the government was misled by the former SSG on your case.
By the advice of a private discussion, it was supposed to be suspension for not attending the meeting of Ministry of Agriculture that I called that early morning, and I want to make it very clear that there was no time anybody suspected you of attending any other political meeting, there was nothing like that.
Nobody has ever said anything like that.
“But the case was supposed to be for suspension, but somebody was overzealous and converted it to termination and when government makes mistake, it has to stand by it.
And so, we have to find a way to ameliorate whatever injustice you suffered, we will find to do that in a way of trying to cushion the effects of all the salaries you didn’t collect, we will do that.
“But one thing that is very significant is that you have demonstrated the spirit of a child of God. In the months you were waiting, you did not castigate the government you served, you fought for, you didn’t castigate the party and I know all the overtures made by those who don’t think good for the government and our people. You stood your ground not for the love you have for me, but because you believe in this calling of God.
“What is going on in our country is what I can call extreme politics and so much desperation.
Nobody is ever talking any rally about performance.
You will not mention performance, you will not mention issue based politics; it’s all about positions I want to be this, I want to be that,” Umahi said.