By Tony Okafor, Awka
Fresh concerns over adherence to due process in Anambra State’s civil service have emerged following Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo’s directive ordering the suspension of civil servants found absent during a recent inspection of government offices.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the Anambra State governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) for the 2025 election, John Chuma Nwosu, cautioned that while discipline and accountability are critical to effective governance, they must be enforced strictly within the bounds of established civil service procedures.
Nwosu noted that absence from duty posts, though a serious matter, does not in itself justify immediate suspension without a proper determination of the facts.
He stressed that standard civil service practice requires that affected officers be issued formal queries to enable them to explain the circumstances surrounding their absence.
According to him, such absences may arise from legitimate reasons, including official assignments, health-related challenges, or administrative lapses, all of which require careful investigation before sanctions are imposed.
“The civil service operates on clearly defined procedures designed to ensure fairness, protect officers’ rights, and preserve institutional integrity,” he said, warning that bypassing these procedures could set a troubling precedent capable of undermining morale within the workforce.
The ADC candidate advocated a more measured approach, urging the state government to follow laid-down disciplinary processes by issuing queries, reviewing responses in line with regulations, and applying proportionate sanctions where necessary.
He added that effective leadership demands a balance between firmness and fairness, emphasizing that respect for due process remains fundamental to transparent and sustainable governance.
Governor Soludo had, during an inspection visit to the state secretariat, reportedly directed that civil servants found absent from their duty posts be suspended, a move that has since sparked debate over the propriety of the action within the framework of public service rules.
