Hope Uzodinma, governor of Imo, has appointed himself as the commissioner for land, survey and physical planning in the state.

Speaking with TheCable on Tuesday, Oguike Nwachukwu, the chief press secretary to the governor, explained that Governor Uzodinma appointed himself to oversee the Ministry of Lands to remove “criminal-minded individuals.”

Nwachukwu said these individuals had given the government a bad reputation.

He stated that the governor’s self-appointment would ensure proper monitoring and management of the ministry.

This move is intended to prevent past issues from happening again. He mentioned a former commissioner involved in controversial land deals at the end of the governor’s first term.

“The governor’s office will supervise the land ministry for now to eliminate certain activities by criminal-minded individuals that have tarnished the government’s image,” he said.

“I believe most people in Imo would prefer the governor to manage that position as long as he is in office because they trust his ability to protect their shared assets.”

Previously, the governor had appointed Enyinnaya Onuegbu as commissioner for lands, who was later replaced by Noble Atulegwu, the former commissioner for skills and entrepreneurial affairs.

In November 2023, the governor suspended Atulegwu from his cabinet position.