Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi State on Tuesday ordered soldiers to flog civil servants who arrived late for work.
From a video clip shared on Twitter by Chidi Odinkalu, @ChidiOdinkalu, the governor was on a project inspection in Abakaliki, the state capital when his convoy stopped at the Government House Gate. He then ordered soldiers to stop civil servants who had arrived late and flog them while he watched with relish.
The civil servants could be seen rolling on the ground as they were being flogged by the soldiers while others watched from a distance.
Reacting to the video, the human rights lawyer, Odinkalu wrote on his Twitter page, “So, today in Ebonyi, @GovDaveUmahi went for a project inspection & then instructs the soldiers to flog – yes flog! – civil servants who arrived late.
“Not done, Dave Umahi supervised the flogging. Tomorrow, he’ll be rewarded with seat in @NGRSenate.”
Also in September, scores of workers were locked out of the Governor’s Office by Governor Ben Ayade of Cross River for arriving late to work.
It happened at least twice in that week.
“Governor Ayade locked many workers out again today (Thursday). After yesterday’s incident, it is surprising that many people still came late today. Many of the latecomers are milling around the entrance.
“We suspect that a stiffer action will be taken by the governor against the latecomers if the trend continues. There may be salary deductions or some sort of sanction,” a source in the state civil service had said.
On the previous occasion on a Wednesday, hundreds of workers were also locked out for arriving late to work.
The governor was said to have arrived at his office at 8 am and expressed surprise to see that many civil servants were not in their offices.
Ayade immediately ordered that a register should be opened and asked the Chief Security Officer to lock the gate against any worker who came late.
SaharaReporters learnt the governor had been away for over two months, claiming to be in search of foreign investors.
Mr Christian Ita, Special Adviser on Media to Governor, said the governor had always frowned on indiscipline and shown reward to those committed to their responsibilities.
He said, “The normal resumption time is 8 am, and if a governor can be in the office at that time, why can’t others be around?
“The governor has always shown reward and sanction to workers; he doesn’t hesitate to sanction when you err and also reward you when you are committed to duty.”
