Imo governor fires labour commissioner Ozumba

Imo State Commissioner for Labour and Productivity, Chief Ford Ozumba, has been removed from office.

A terse statement on Saturday by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Declan Emelumba said Ozumba was relieved of his appointment on the order of the state governor Hope Uzodimma.

The statement said, “Accordingly, His Excellency further directs that Chief Ozumba hands over to the Permanent Secretary of his Ministry with immediate effect.”

Although the statement did not give any hint why Ozumba was sacked, it was gathered it was due to the ongoing strike by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) that had crippled the public power supply in the state for the third day.

The NLC accused the state government of interfering in its affairs with a view to influencing who to vote for.

The strike made traders last Friday to stage a protest in front of the Imo Government House.

The NLC National President, Joe Ajero, had alleged that the state government “sought to influence the outcome of the elections in the state,” by offering gratifications to the delegates to vote for their “chosen candidates.”

“This meddlesomeness was resisted by the delegates who refused the unholy offerings and baits to vote for their chosen candidates,” he added.