Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi State says his relationship with the outgoing Governor of Imo State Rochas Okorocha, has been cordial, and that this has been proved by his appointment as the Grand Commander of Imo.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Umahi made the declaration late on Monday in Abakaliki during a media chat with representatives of media houses across the country.
The governor noted that contrary to insinuations of a strained relationship between him and Okorocha, his relationship with the outgoing Imo governor has been cordial.
“Okorocha is our leader, a great son of Igbo land and we are in very good terms,” he said.
He warned that any Permanent Secretary-designate who perform poorly within two months in office would be retired from the state civil service, while those who perform creditably will be retained.
He disclosed that the permanent secretaries were selected from Grade Level 14 and above, with emphasis on those who have about four more years to stay in the civil service.
“I, however, offered a waiver to the Accountant General of the state and the Director of Works in the Ministry of Works who have one year in service because their experience is still needed,” he said.
(NAN)
