Reported by Simon Daniel Yusuph l Journalist at Weng Global
Ebonyi State Governor Francis Nwifuru has removed the Commissioner for Works, Engr. Stanley Lebechi Mbam, from office with immediate effect, according to a public service announcement issued by the governor’s office on Saturday, September 19, 2026.
The announcement was signed by the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Dr. Monday Uzor. It did not disclose a specific reason for the latest decision.
Mbam has been directed to hand over all government property in his possession, including his official vehicle, to the Secretary to the Ebonyi State Government. He is also required to transfer the administrative responsibilities of the Ministry of Works to the ministry’s Permanent Secretary pending further directives.
Governor Orders Immediate Handover
The removal brings Mbam’s tenure as Ebonyi Commissioner for Works to an end following a series of disciplinary actions involving the commissioner during Governor Nwifuru’s administration.
The latest government announcement specifically states that the removal takes immediate effect.
The directive also requires the outgoing commissioner to surrender government assets under his control and ensure a formal transfer of responsibilities to the Permanent Secretary.
The government has not announced a replacement for Mbam at the time of publication.
Previous Suspension in 2026
Mbam had previously been suspended by Governor Nwifuru in February 2026 alongside the Commissioner for Infrastructure Development for Concession, Engr. Ogbonnaya Obasi-Abara.
The February suspension was described by the governor’s office as indefinite and was attributed to alleged dereliction of duty.
Both officials were directed at the time to hand over government property, including official vehicles, to the Secretary to the State Government.
Channels Television and The Guardian reported the February suspension based on a statement issued by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary.
The earlier disciplinary action is separate from the September 19 removal. The latest announcement does not state that the February allegation is the reason for Mbam’s dismissal.
Mbam Had Continued to Oversee Works
Before his removal, Mbam remained publicly involved in the state government’s infrastructure activities.
On September 15, 2026, Channels Television reported that Mbam said Ebonyi had completed more than 627 kilometres of roads under Governor Nwifuru’s administration.
He made the statement while briefing journalists following an independent facility tour organised by the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Ebonyi State Council, as part of its 2026 Press Week activities.
The report placed the commissioner among officials providing updates on the state’s infrastructure programme only days before his removal.
The Ebonyi State Government’s official Ministry of Works website also lists Mbam as the commissioner and describes the ministry as responsible for areas including civil engineering, mechanical engineering, planning, finance and administration.
No Official Reason Given for Removal
Although the governor’s office confirmed Mbam’s removal, the public service announcement did not identify a specific reason for the decision.
This means claims about the motive behind the governor’s action should not be treated as established fact unless they are supported by an official statement or other credible evidence.
The February suspension provides background to Mbam’s relationship with the administration, but it does not establish why the governor decided to terminate his appointment in September.
As of Saturday, there was no reported detailed explanation from the state government concerning the circumstances that led to the latest decision.
What Happens to the Ministry of Works?
With Mbam’s removal, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Works is expected to assume responsibility for the ministry’s administrative affairs pending further instructions from the state government.
The transition comes as the ministry oversees road construction and other infrastructure projects across Ebonyi.
The timing also follows recent public reporting on the administration’s infrastructure record.
Mbam had recently highlighted the completion of more than 627 kilometres of roads across the state, while the state government has continued to present infrastructure development as an important component of its administration.
The immediate responsibility for maintaining continuity in those projects will now fall to the ministry’s permanent administrative structure until a new commissioner or alternative arrangement is announced.
Background to Mbam’s Tenure
Mbam served as Commissioner for Works under Governor Nwifuru and was involved in public statements concerning road construction and infrastructure delivery.
In February, he was among two commissioners suspended over alleged dereliction of duty. The governor’s office did not provide detailed information at the time about the specific conduct said to constitute the alleged dereliction.
The commissioner later returned to office before his latest removal.
The sequence of events makes the September decision a significant change in the leadership of Ebonyi’s Ministry of Works, but the government has yet to publicly explain the precise circumstances behind the final removal.
Why the Development Matters
The Ministry of Works has responsibility for major public infrastructure programmes, including roads and related engineering projects.
A change in its political leadership can therefore affect the administration and oversight of ongoing projects, depending on the arrangements adopted by the state government.
For residents, contractors and other stakeholders involved in Ebonyi’s infrastructure programme, the next major issue will be whether the government appoints a new commissioner and how the ministry manages existing projects during the transition.
The government’s decision also places renewed attention on the administration of the ministry following the earlier suspension involving Mbam.
However, the significance of the latest development should be assessed against official information rather than speculation about the reasons for the governor’s decision.
What Happens Next
The Permanent Secretary is expected to receive the administrative responsibilities previously handled by the commissioner until the state government issues further instructions.
Governor Nwifuru may subsequently announce a replacement or make another arrangement for the political leadership of the Ministry of Works.
The state government has not yet announced when a new commissioner will be appointed.
Further clarification may also emerge if the governor’s office provides additional information about the reasons for Mbam’s removal.
For now, the confirmed position is that Stanley Lebechi Mbam has been removed as Ebonyi State Commissioner for Works with immediate effect and has been ordered to hand over government property and the ministry’s administrative responsibilities.
Weng Global – Stories beyond borders
Sources
- Ebonyi State Government
- Ebonyi State Ministry of Works
- Channels Television
- Premium Times
- The Guardian
- Punch
- Vanguard
