Soludo sacks political appointees, permanent secretaries take over

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By Madu Obi

Barely 24 hours after his inauguration for a second term, the Governor of Anambra State, Professor Chukwuma Soludo, has sacked all his political appointees, directing them to hand over to the Permanent Secretaries or the most senior civil servant in their offices.

The directive, which was conveyed in a circular issued by the Office of the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), takes immediate effect.

The circular, which was signed by the Permanent Secretary, Office of the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Nwabufor Nwankwo reads: "I am directed to inform all political appointees to hand over to the Permanent Secretaries or the most senior civil servant in the various MDAs on or before the close of work today… until a new cabinet is constituted".

The government further directed that all first-term cabinet members are to meet with the governor on Monday, March 23, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at the Anambra State Executive Council Chambers.

Already, intense lobbying had begun in the state ahead of the reconstitution of the state EXCO, with many interested persons going through influential people in the state, including businessmen and religious leaders to get the ears of the governor.

A source, however, said the governor might not rely on recommendations from outsiders to reconstitute his next cabinet, as he is said to be focused on identifying the best hands himself for the job ahead.

At the Jerome Udoji state secretariat in Awka, the affected appointees and their aides were see removing their personal belongings from their offices.