SaharaReporters has just learnt that Chuks Iloegbunam, a top advisor to Governor Peter Obi of Anambra, has resigned his post.
SaharaReporters has just learnt that Chuks Iloegbunam, a top advisor to Governor Peter Obi of Anambra, has resigned his post.
googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('content1'); });
Mr. Iloegbunam’s departure marks the second time in a week that a top official of Mr. Obi’s government has resigned. Governor Obi’s widespread unpopularity in the state resulted in the crushing defeat of most of the candidates he supported in recent state and national legislative elections.
Before joining Governor Obi’s administration five years ago as chief of staff, Mr. Iloegbunam had a distinguished career as a newspaper editor, columnist, author and publisher.
A source close to Mr. Obi told SaharaReporters that Mr. Iloegbunam’s resignation “is certainly a big blow to the governor,” adding, “Chuks was one of the few people who had the courage to speak truthfully to Governor Obi.” The source added that Governor Obi’s growing unpopularity was partly because he had surrounded himself with weak-willed assistants who tell him what he wants to hear.
googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('content2'); });
Another source, a commissioner, described Iloegbunam as a calm presence in Government House where he went about his work without throwing his weight about. “Oga Chuks or Baba Ndidi, as he was called, was never afraid to speak up during cabinet or other meetings. He was one of a few people who could openly disagree with the governor.”
Two sources at Government House, Awka told SaharaReporters that Mr. Iloegbunam had been complaining about being put under pressure to defend government policies he had either advised against or considered wrong-headed.
One of the sources, who is close to Mr. Iloegbunam, remarked, “The last straw came last week when the state government concocted a lie claiming that Governor Obi had rescued Anambra youth corpers who were under attack in some northern parts of the country.” He added: “Chuks was very upset that his name was used in the story that gave the impression that he was part of the deception.” Several of the youth corps members called SaharaReporters to deny that Mr. Obi helped at all in their rescue. They criticized the governor for refusing to see them when they arrived at Government House, Awka to share their ordeal.
Last week, SaharaReporters broke the news of the resignation of Chima Okafor, who served as the state’s commissioner for Commerce.
SaharaReporters has since learnt that Mr. Okafor was appalled that Governor Obi had been nonchalant about death threats directed at the former commissioner. “I believe the governor’s callous indifference led to his decision to resign,” added the source.
A source close to Governor Obi confirmed Mr. Iloegbunam’s resignation, adding that the governor was “taken totally by surprise.”
A few years ago, Mr. Obi abolished the post of chief of staff, leaving Mr. Iloegbunam as an advisor on media and policy matters.
googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('comments'); });