-Secretary Rejects Suspension, Questions Authority of Former Board Members

By Our Reporter

A fresh crisis has engulfed the Anambra State Local Government Service Commission (LGSC), following the controversial suspension of the Commission’s Secretary, Anatogu F.N. by members of a board that was reportedly dissolved by the state government earlier this year.

The development has sparked allegations of abuse of power, administrative interference and disregard for due process, exposing deep divisions within the commission.

The controversy began on June 17, 2026, when three former members of the dissolved LGSC board — Uche Okafor (Member II), Prof. Ngozi Ewuim (Member III) and Hon. Anthonia Tabansi Okoye (Member IV) — reportedly forwarded a memorandum to the Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Community Affairs, Barrister Vin Ezeaka, seeking approval for the immediate suspension of the commission’s secretary over allegations of forgery and impersonation.

The allegations stem from circumstances surrounding the resignation of Hon. Azubuike Okoye, a former Member I of the Commission.

According to documents seen by our correspondent, the commissioner, who was the immediate past chairman of the LGSC board, subsequently approved the recommendation for the secretary’s suspension.

However, the Secretary swiftly rejected the action, arguing that the individuals behind the suspension lacked the legal authority to take such a decision, having ceased to hold office following the dissolution of political appointments by the state government.

In a memo dated June 18, 2026, and referenced ANSC/LGSC/PER/S/14/62, the Secretary challenged the legitimacy of the suspension.

“May I remind you that the people who endorsed the purported suspension are former members of the Anambra State Local Government Service Commission who were dissolved via Letter No. SSG/PS/1/T2/23 dated March 18, 2026,” the memo stated.

The Secretary further noted that the Commissioner himself had supervised the handover process following the dissolution directive.

“May I humbly request your office to furnish me with the appointment letters of the new members that approved my suspension after the March 18 directive, for my guidance and compliance,” he wrote.

‘I Am Innocent’

When contacted, the Secretary declined extensive comments, citing ongoing administrative processes, but firmly denied the allegations against him.

“The only thing I can say is that I am innocent of all the claims being made against me. I am ready to defend myself, and I trust that justice will prevail,” he said.

He also expressed confidence that Governor Chukwuma Soludo would ensure that due process is followed.

“This is not just about me; it is about the system we operate. If former board members continue to dictate the affairs of the Commission long after their dissolution, the system could descend into chaos,” he added.

Allegations of Hidden Agenda

Meanwhile, sources within the Commission have described the suspension as part of a broader power struggle involving former officials seeking to maintain influence over the agency’s operations.

One senior source, who requested anonymity because she was not authorized to speak publicly on the matter, alleged that the Commissioner may have acted based on incomplete information provided by individuals pursuing personal interests.

“The truth is that some people are after the Secretary because he resisted attempts to halt the 2025 staff promotion interview process, which had already been approved,” the source claimed.

According to the source, the Secretary had also advised against certain administrative practices pending the completion of promotion exercises, a stance that allegedly put him at odds with some former board members.

“It does not make sense to suspend the Secretary over allegations of forgery and impersonation when there is no formal complaint from the person allegedly impersonated,” the source argued.

“The only action he took was receiving and processing a resignation letter submitted by the former Member I. That appears to have triggered the current dispute.”

Another staff member echoed similar concerns, alleging that some former board members had continued to interfere in the administration of the Commission despite the dissolution order issued by the state government.

“The Secretary is merely holding the fort pending the appointment of a new Chairman and board members by the Governor. The continued involvement of former political appointees raises serious questions,” the staff member said, adding that the ministry of local government, Chieftaincy and Community Affairs, also had no statutory powers to interfere in the affairs of the commission.

Questions Over Authority

At the heart of the dispute is the question of whether individuals whose appointments were terminated on March 18, 2026, retain any authority to influence or direct the affairs of the Commission.

While supporters of the suspension insist that allegations against the Secretary warrant investigation, critics argue that any disciplinary action must be initiated by legally constituted authorities and in accordance with established procedures.

As of the time of filing this report, neither the Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Community Affairs nor the former board members involved had issued an official public response to the Secretary’s objections.

The unfolding controversy is expected to test the state’s commitment to administrative due process and could have significant implications for governance within the Local Government Service Commission.