Radio station GM suspended for criticising governor

A privately-owned radio station in Ebonyi State, Legacy FM, has suspended its acting general manager, Godfrey Chikwere, after his criticism of the state governor, Francis Nwifuru.

Chikwere’s suspension was announced via a statement issued by the management of the radio station on Saturday, August 9, 2025.

The general manager had, in a lengthy statement shared on his Facebook page on Friday, criticised the governor, saying Ebonyi’s perception index is “low and dwindling daily at a very embarrassing level”.

Chikwere also urged Nwifuru to be stringent in his handling of affairs.

He wrote: “Your Excellency, respect Governor Nwifuru.

“Your Excellency, under your watch, you and the State Government are ridiculed daily.

“A good image for yourself and Ebonyi should be part of your greatest achievements.

“You are freely ridiculed by those who should have seen what you are not seeing because of the opportunity you gave them. Those you brought from the street, rice and cassava farm to the Exco Chamber.

“The perception index of Ebonyi within and outside Ebonyi is low and dwindling daily at a very embarrassing level.

“Sir, when will you come to terms with the fact that Ebonyi people love you, and are with you?

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“In the first 6 months in office, no Ebonyi Governor enjoyed the love and goodwill enjoyed.”

He added: “On your appointees, you have appointees who are injuring your administration daily, yet you pamper them. Your Excellency, under watch and on working days during working hours, some of your appointees are roaming around pa Ngele Oruta Township stadium in the name of sporting activities.

“Your Izzi political brothers and beneficiaries of your office are spending energy responding to your critiques through media chats and press briefings instead of seeing this Governorship position as their own by practically assisting you to succeed.

“Your Legacy will determine how Izzi as a whole will be perceived in terms of goodwill after your time in office, but they don’t know.”

Announcing his suspension, the management of the radio station said Chikwere flouted its code of conduct.

The radio station stated: “The management of Legacy FM 95.1, 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 the Legacy FM.

“With such effect, he is hereby directed to hand over all the company property in his position to the next senior officer.”

The Star