By Chidi Nkwopara

 OWERRI—Governor Ikedi Ohakim of Imo State has approved that some commissioners, special advisers, senior special assistants and strategic appointees, who had earlier indicated interest to run for the 2011 general elections be disengaged from the cabinet.

The sacking of the governor’s aides was communicated to the public in a press statement signed by the Secretary to Imo State Government, SSG, , Chief Cosmas Iwu.

Those affected by the reorganization are the Deputy Chief of Staff, Chief Chikwem Onuoha,  Commissioner for Economic Planning and Rural Development, Chief Levi Oguike,  Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Mrs. Comfort Chukwu, Commissioner for Lands, Survey and Urban Planning, Dr. Jeff Ojinika and Commissioner for Special Duties, Chief Chuma Nnaji.

Others are the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Vin Udokwu, Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Chief Tony Uzoukwu, Special Adviser, Admin/Protocol, Mrs. Ijeoma Nwafor, Special Adviser, Science and Technology, Dr. Peter Ukaigwe, Project Director, Imo Job Centre, Prof. Obioma Iheduru, Special Adviser, Media Affairs, Mr. Steve Osuji, Coordinator, NEPAD, Mr. Kingsley Ononuju and Director, ICT, Imo Job Centre, Chief Cima Uzobuihe.

The rest are Senior Special Assistant, Projects and Monitoring, Nze Law Biaduo, Senior Special Assistant, Passages, Mr Theo Ike, Coordinator, National Health Insurance, Dr. M. Obi and Senior Special Assistant, Administration, Cabinet Office, Mr. Robert U. Okwuego.

The government directed all the affected officials to hand over the affairs of their ministries or departments to their respective permanent secretaries or most senior officer in their establishments, while all senior special assistants are to hand over to the chief of staff to the governor.

“All handing over formalities should be completed on or before Thursday, August 26, 2010,” the SSG stated.