The governor had given the directive when he noticed that some of the state public had not turned up for a school debate organised by his administration to mark this year independence of the nation and the 19th year of the creation of Ebonyi State.
But Eng. Umahi made a U-turn barely a few hours after he learnt that most of the affected officials had other state functions that made them arrive late for the event.
A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr. Emma Anya, explained that the pardon was “in the general interest of the state and out of the large- heartedness of the state Chief Executive.”
The statement also dismissed report in a national daily on Tuesday that the state’s Deputy Governor, Dr. Kelechi Igwe, was locked out of the venue of the event.
“For the purpose of clarity, the Deputy Governor was out on an official assignment and rejoined the function later on. The allegation is therefore mischievous and embarrassing,” Anya added.
