Following the suspension of Chief of Staff to Abia State governor, a group Concerned Abia Professionals has urged governor Okezie Ikpeazu to move beyond suspension but sack Dr ACB Agbazuere.
Though the state government did not give a reason for the suspension of Agbazuere, pundits believe it may not be unconnected with a trending video where the Chief of Staff was seen spraying money on a guest at Government House.
Describing him as wasteful, Concerned Abia Professionals in a statement issued by Comrade Christian Nwogu, Head Media & Publicity wants Agbazuere to be handed over to the anti-graft agencies for investigation.
ABN TV reports that the group while applauding Governor Ikpeazu for the decision to suspend Agbazuere says totally disengaging him is the only way the governor can boost public confidence in efforts to protect the image of his government.
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It says, “Such action, as exhibited by the Chief of Staff, does not suit times like this when Abians, like other Nigerians, are trying so hard to pick and piece their pieces up and together from the ruins made of businesses by COVID-19 with its attendant lockdown, EndSARS protests and the almost nationwide curfew that followed the highjacked protests. It is condemnable that at a time when harsh economic realities dare and bite hard our world with job losses, businesses going under, recession and increased tariffs slapped on citizens on utility bills, a state official paid with taxpayers’ money in naira could be seen spraying hard currency or foreign bills on another when event under such circumstance does not suit such.
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“We wish to state categorically that such activity is against the extant laws of Nigeria, especially the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN Act. Such action does not suit the code for public service, let alone a government appointee appointed on public trust and screened by the legislature. The worrisome question goes: Was that done with an undeclared intent to mock Abians or out of philanthropic gesture? Whatever be the case, the better part of wisdom is outrightly relieving Agbazuere and also handing him over to appropriate agencies, maybe anti-corruption agencies for a proper investigation.
“Agbazuere’s attitude is, regrettably, incompatible with his office and so let the law take its course fully so that public confidence is not lost.
“While the government under His Excellency Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, PhD battles with reduced allocation accruing from the Federal Allocation Accounts Committee (FAAC) as a result of global crash in oil price and while Abia State Government faces challenges of fixing infrastructure and paying workers’ salaries, a sad development like this occurs. This may not portray the government of the day in good light and so the moral burden lies on the state government to ensure that justice is done to the letter.
“Even if the said money belongs to Agbazuere or from proceeds of his legitimate toiling and hard work, it is against the law and convention, even, to embark on such gaudy and extravagant funafre.
“Once again, Concerned Abia professional (CAP) wishes to commend the state government for suspending the Chief of Staff but urges the government to go one better by ensuring that this matter carried out by its appointee is fully looked into by anti-graft agencies – like EFCC – established by law to enquire into official corruption or financial recklessness.
“Justice only will be enough.”
