By UCHENNA UGWU

Gov. Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi has lifted the suspension placed on some members of the state executive council.

Nwifuru made the announcement on Sunday during a church service marking the 2026 Father’s Day in Abakaliki.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the state Commissioner for Works, Stanley Mbam, and his counterpart in the state Ministry of Infrastructure Concession for Development, Ogbonnaya Abara, were suspended in March 2026.

Others formerly on suspension were some top government officials across various ministries, departments, and agencies.

NAN also recalls that the suspension followed an alleged dereliction of duty, amid scrutiny over project delivery and claims of uncompleted road projects.

Nwifuru said, “Let me use this opportunity to thank workers for their unflinching support to our government.

“And to reciprocate this gesture, I have decided to honour the workers by recalling all government officials who were suspended for one reason or the other, except for those in ministry of lands and survey, whose cases are still under investigation,”

The governor said the decision was in appreciation of the loyalty and support shown by the state workforce to his administration.

He charged the reinstated officials to rededicate themselves to duty and align fully with the government’s “People’s Charter of Needs” agenda.

Nwifuru frowned at some appointees who publicly declared interest to contest elections without seeking his consent and resigning from their previous appointment.

He described their actions as disrespectful to the office of the Governor.

“Your actions are very disrespectful. You must obey the rules because you cannot violate it and still get it,” he said.

He urged all political office holder and public servants to maintain high level of discipline, channel their energy towards service delivery, and avoid actions that could cause distraction within the government.

The governor further used the celebration to describe fathers as pillars of strength, stability in the family and the society.

In his remarks, the officiating Priest, Rev Fr James Nwaofoke, who highlighted roles of a father, commended the governor for being supportive, consistent and enabling peace in the state.

Nwaofoke offered prayers to the governor and consistent representatives for more strength for the administration. (NAN)