Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State has directed political appointees to ensure that candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party win in their polling units in Saturday’s election or forfeit their salaries and allowances.
This directive comes as the battle for the soul of the Enugu State treasury and who controls the Lion Building Government House intensifies after the party suffered a crushing defeat in the February 25, 2023, presidential and National Assembly elections in the state.
Governor Ugwuanyi was not spared in the humiliating defeat as he also lost his bid to represent Enugu North Senatorial District in the National Assembly.
The governor lost to Labour Party candidate, Chief Okey Ezea.
Despite being the ruling party in the state, the PDP only won two political seats, one senatorial seat and one House of Representatives seat, while the Labour Party took the rest.
Like a wounded lion, the government announced the suspension of salaries and allowances of workers and political appointees till after the elections, threatening that payments would be subject to delivering their polling units for PDP.
In a memo cited by Pointblanknews.com on Friday, “Cessation of salaries and other allowances” addressed to all local government political appointees, dated February 28, 2023 with Ref: OSLG/EC/PA/002, which was signed by Donatus C. Ugwu for the Executive Chairman of Igbo-Etiti local government, the staff were asked to forget their salaries and allowances should they fail to ensure PDP’s victory in their polling units.
The memo reads: “Government of Enugu State of Nigeria, Office of the secretary Igbo-Etiti local government area.
“Be informed that salaries and allowances of all Political appointees of the local government council have been put on hold until after the elections.
“All concerned (political appointees) are to deliver on their political mandates in their various polling units, etc. to the PDP in the elections with evidence thereafter after which the restrictions on salaries and other allowances will be lifted, if need be.”
The letter was copied to the HPM, Treasurer and Payroll Officer.
