The Imo State Civil Service is facing a crisis as retired officials, including Permanent Secretaries and Directors, are accused of refusing to vacate their positions, sparking widespread discontent among junior staff. Allegations of fraud and mismanagement have heightened tensions, with demands for Governor Hope Uzodinma to intervene.
A retired female director from the Ministry of Lands, who officially bowed out on October 15, 2024, has allegedly refused to relinquish her post as head of the Accounts Department. Reports claim she continues to collect ₦1 million in monthly imprest while defying a state government circular ending service extensions.
The situation is not limited to the Ministry of Lands. Several Permanent Secretaries at Government House and other agencies are also accused of overstaying their tenure, raising concerns of systemic abuse and fraud. Civil servants and labor unions have expressed frustration, warning that the trend jeopardizes the integrity of the state’s civil service.
Sources reveal that anti-corruption agencies, including the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), are expected to investigate and prosecute individuals found guilty of overstaying their tenure or engaging in financial mismanagement.
Governor Uzodinma is under pressure to enforce retirement rules and address the alleged fraud tied to this “sitting-tight syndrome” before it further destabilizes the state’s workforce.
