Governor Soludo sacks all political appointees

Chukwuma Soludo has relieved all political appointees in his administration of their duties, directing them to hand over to Permanent Secretaries or the most senior civil servants across ministries, departments and agencies, just a day after being sworn in for a second term.

The directive was conveyed in a statement signed by Nwabufo Nwankwo, Permanent Secretary in the Office of the Secretary to the State Government, which instructed affected officials to complete the handover process by the close of work on March 18, 2026. The move is intended to ensure continuity in governance pending the constitution of a new cabinet.

The circular also invited members of the outgoing first-term cabinet to a meeting with the governor scheduled for March 23 at the ANSEC Chambers in Awka.

Soludo was sworn in for a second term on Tuesday at the Alex Ekwueme Square in Awka, alongside his deputy, Onyeka Ibezim, following his victory in the November 8, 2025 governorship election declared by Independent National Electoral Commission.

In his inaugural address, the governor highlighted progress in security and economic activity across the state. “The debilitating one-sit-at-home is over, and our schools, markets, businesses, and public servants are back to work. Ndi Anambra says that ours is now the safest, or at least one of the safest states in Nigeria,” he said.

The ceremony was attended by several prominent figures, including Vice President Kashim Shettima, former presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan, as well as former Commonwealth Secretary-General Emeka Anyaoku and Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

The sweeping dismissal of appointees signals the start of a new administrative phase as the governor begins his second term in office.