By Our correspondent
Anambra State Commissioner for Finance, Mr Ifeatu Onejeme, has resigned.
Onejeme’s resignation was announced in a statement by the press secretary to the governor, Mr Christian Aburime.
Onejeme is the second aide to the governor that has resigned in less than two years of the Prof Chukwuma Soludo’s Administration.
The first was Mr Richard Madiebo, the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of Anambra State Internal Revenue Service, (AiRS).
Another aide, who worked as Commissioner for Commence and Industry, Dr Obinna Ngonadi, left the office unannounced.
As of the time of filing this report Onejeme had not made any public announcement why he resigned abruptly.
But a source who spoke with our correspondent on condition of anonymity said more resignations are expected.
The source said the Commissioner resigned
because of policy differences between him and the Governor.
The source said, “As of today, 14/09/2023, Anambra State has no substantive or acting
Commissioner of Finance. The former resigned ostensibly because of policy differences between him and the governor.
Still faulting the whole process, the source said the state had no substantive State Auditor-General, Auditor-General for Local Governments, adding, “A retired Director in the Office of the Auditor-General for Local Governments since February 2023 was recently made the Auditor-General for Local Governments on the condition that he would prepare the 2022 Local Governments Accounts. His letter was signed last week by the Anambra State Head of Service.”
Another source accused the governor of high-handedness, saying,”More people will resign. It’s not easy to work with Prof( Soludo). He’s like a headmaster while his aides are like his pupils.
“They only take instructions from him, without making their own inputs. So, not everyone will like to work under such pressure and stringent conditions.They’re getting tired of being tutored at every exco meeting.
However, announcing Onejeme’s resignation on Thursday, Aburime said, “Anambra State Governor, Professor Chukwuma Charles Soludo, CFR, has accepted the resignation of Mr Ifeatu Onejeme, Commissioner for Finance
“Mr Ifeatu Onejeme was appointed Commissioner for Finance by Governor Soludo at the beginning of the administration to help the new government settle in.
“Mr Ifeatu Onejeme has also previously served as Commissioner during the Obiano’s administration .While accepting his resignation, Governor Soludo commended his meritorious service to the government and the people of Anambra State
Aburime further quoted Soludo thus, “On behalf of the government and great people of Anambra State, i wish to express our gratitude for your commitment, professionalism and great service to Anambra State over the past nine and half years as Commissioner. I particularly appreciate your services over the past year and five months as you worked diligently to facilitate a seamless transition from the previous administration to the current one. While we will miss your services, i appreciate your personal and family circumstances that warrant the resignation. Here is wishing you success in your future endeavours and hope that you will continue to avail your services in the development of Anambra/Nigeria in other spheres. With all best wishes”
Aburime said for the time being, the Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Mrs Chiamaka Nnake had been directed by Governor Soludo to oversee the Ministry of Finance until a substantive Commissioner is nominated to take over the Ministry.
