Abuja: A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Sen. Ita Enang, has advised state governors to critically re-assess the roles and responsibilities of commissioners and aides, in line with constitutional provisions. Enang, a former Senior Special Assistant to the late former President Muhammadu Buhari on National Assembly Matters (Senate), shared his views during an interview in Abuja.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Enang spoke against the backdrop of the recent suspension of some commissioners and special advisers by Gov. Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi for failing to attend ‘an important government function’. The suspension was announced by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Monday Uzor. Enang emphasised the need for clarity in the duties assigned to commissioners and aides, noting that governors must avoid expectations that extend beyond their constitutional mandates.
Enang highlighted instances in several states where governors insisted that their aides attend events outside their designated portfolios. He urged governors, regardless of party affiliation, to re-evaluate the roles of their commissioners and other aides, assigning them specific duties that require regular performance reports weekly or bi-weekly.
He suggested that attendance at official functions should be relevant to the commissioners’ and aides’ areas of responsibility. Enang recalled how logistics and scheduling were efficiently managed during his time in the presidency under Buhari, where not everyone accompanied the president, and movement was properly streamlined.
Enang expressed concern over the excessive entourages used by some governors, describing it as more of a display of power than necessity. While acknowledging Nwifuru’s authority to appoint, suspend, or dismiss his aides, Enang questioned the rationale for the recent suspension, citing their absence from an event as a concern.
He urged state governments to institutionalise proper protocols for organising official outings, ensuring commissioners are invited only when necessary. According to the former presidential aide, using commissioners as mere attendees at public functions undermines governance and devalues their offices.
Enang called for a reconsideration of the suspension decision and a better appreciation of the constitutional roles of commissioners and other political appointees, while reaffirming his respect for Nwifuru, whom he described as a ‘friend’.