Ebonyi State SSG, Benard Odoh Resigns, Accuses Gov. Umahi Of Oppression

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Ebonyi State SSG, Benard Odoh Resigns, Accuses Gov. Umahi Of Oppression

The Secretary to the Ebonyi State government, SSG, Professor Benard Odoh has resigned from office.

He stated that his resignation followed nasty decisions taken by the governor, David Umahi that turned most of the cabinet members to become hypocritical in their activities.

Odoh made this known in a 3-page resignation letter written to the governor, signed and made available to journalists in Abakaliki.

He said he could not continue to work with a government that did not offer a conducive atmosphere for all members of the cabinet to air their views.

The letter reads in part: “in my opinion, this is the highest level of hypocrisy and the values I live does not allow me to operate in such deceptive atmosphere where people live opposite of what/who they are”.

Recall that Odah was the senatorial candidate of the All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA, for Ebonyi Central in 2015 General election.

Before his appointment as the SSG by governor David Umahi in 2015, he was known for his integrity, loyalty, popularity, honesty and trustworthiness.

The ex-state scribe noted further that his decision to resign was to protect his relationship with the governor, stressing that he had more to preserve than occupy the position of the secretary to state government.

He said that the way Umahi’s administration had remained in the past two years had not offered conducive atmosphere for all members of the state executive council members and himself to sincerely air and express their views on sensitive policy matters.

“Having assured you on my inception of office and at several times that I owe you the responsibility to be truthful and honest always, I wish to inform you that all is not well in your administration sir.

“If you observe carefully, almost all your appointees are nearly completely disconnected from your policy direction as they lack genuine sense of purpose, dignity, clear sense of commitment to decision taken in Council because of low morale.

“Once more, on behalf of my family, friends and those who worked closely with me for almost three years now, I want to most sincerely again say thank you very much for the rare opportunity you offered me to serve our dear state,” he wrote.

Prof Odoh also said he was ready to face whatever consequence and persecution that may follow his resignation.

“I am fully aware of the consequences of my action knowing fully well that you will go after me, my immediate family and those that served with me in line with your principle of “crushing and grinding” whoever that differs with your ideologies and aspirations as has been demonstrated in recent times, but be assured that the will of God would always prevail in all situation and circumstance.

‘”My appointment as the Secretary to the State government is hereby resigned in good faith. I have handed over the status of cabinet office to the most senior staff office, Barrister Ogbonnaya Otta in line with the best practices of service”, he stated.

Meanwhile, the governor has announced the appointment of Dr. Hyginus Nwokwu as the new SSG, with immediate effect.

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