Family and friends govt: Imo Governor Uzodimma appoints brother as Deputy Chief of Staff

Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma has reportedly appointed his brother, Ferdinand Uzodimma, as his Deputy Chief of Staff in charge of General Services.

This was made known in a statement released on Thursday, March 21, 2024 through his Chief Press Secretary, Oguwike Nwachukwu.

Also, Uzodinma reappointed Cosmos Iwu as the Secretary of the State Government, Nnamdi Anyaehie as his Chief of Staff and Sydney Agbor as the Deputy Chief of Staff in charge of Operations.

Among the lists of appointees are Patrick Ekeji who has been appointed as the Deputy Chief of Staff in charge of Administration. Sam Nwaobasi was also named the Special Adviser on Programme and Policy Implementation and Monitoring.

The statement read, “The Governor of Imo State, Sen. Hope Uzodimma, has reappointed Chief Cosmos Iwu as the Secretary to the Government of Imo State.

“In the same vein, Nnamdi Anyaehie, Chief Patrick Ekeji and Olisaemeka Sydney Agbor have been reappointed as Chief of Staff, Deputy Chief of Staff (Administration) and Deputy Chief of Staff (Operations) respectively.

“Also, the governor has approved the appointment of Chief Ferdinand Uzodimma, a one-time Councillor, Transition Committee Chairman and Sole Administrator of Oru East Local Government Area as his Deputy Chief of Staff (General Services) with Mr. Sam Anyalewechi Nwaobasi named as Special Adviser on Programme and Policy Implementation/ Monitoring.

“The appointments take immediate effect."

Following the appointments, Uzodinma urged the newly appointed officials to focus on their mandate in his administration.

“Governor Uzodimma, who congratulated the new appointees, urged them to bring to bear their professional competence in the efforts to drive the vision of the Shared Prosperity 3R Government of Imo State,” the statement said.

Since the announcement of Uzodinma's brother as the deputy chief of staff, some Nigerians have taken to social media to share their thoughts.

@Destinino: Don’t feel bad… it is called govt of the govt, for their people and for their pocket

@memerings: Family and friends government

@raji_abduljelil: To start with I don't think I have heard anything like Deputy chief of staff before, politicians knows the best way to favour their close circle loyalist. This is very unacceptable.
Your brother for God sake.

@JayJay_kalu: Politics in Nigeria has turned to family business

@AdamsOmoboriowo: the era of putting your family members into your making it look like a family affair should be a thing of the past.

@CruiseAtuekong: If he's competent then there is nothing to worry about.