Legacy FM 95.1, a privately-owned radio station in Ebonyi State, has suspended its Acting General Manager, Mr. Godfrey Chikwere, over alleged persistent negative comments about Governor Francis Nwifuru and his administration.
The station’s management announced the suspension in a statement on Saturday, accusing Chikwere of “unruly behaviour” and “disobedience to the code of conduct” guiding Legacy FM.
“The management of Legacy FM, The Sound of Now, hereby suspends the Acting General Manager, Godfrey Chikwere, with immediate effect till further notice.
This is due to unruly behaviour and disobedience to the code of conduct guiding Legacy FM.
With effect from now, he is directed to hand over all company property in his possession to the next senior officer,” the statement read.
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Chikwere’s suspension followed recent Facebook posts and on-air remarks where he criticised the governor, accusing the administration of poor communication, underperformance by appointees, lack of clear policy direction, and weak political will.
He also advised Nwifuru to “step on toes” to achieve results.
Reacting, the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Monday Uzor, condemned Chikwere’s comments, describing them as baseless and ungrateful.
Uzor claimed the station had benefited significantly from the state government’s support, including the donation of a brand-new Changan SUV, a transformer to power the station, and the construction of the road leading to its premises.
“It is regrettable that despite thriving only on government support, the supposed helmsman dedicates a greater percentage of the station’s airtime to attack and run down the government.
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Rather than give balanced coverage, the station has become a slaughterhouse for the governor’s genuine development efforts and goodwill,” Uzor said.
Also weighing in, Ebonyi State Commissioner for Information, Ikeuwa Omebeh, described Chikwere’s criticisms as “derogatory and inciting,” accusing him of “overstepping his bounds.”
“His remarks against the governor are unacceptable and an affront to the collective identity of the people of the state,” the commissioner said in a separate statement on Saturday.