Legacy FM 95.1, a privately-owned radio station based in Ebonyi State, has suspended its Acting General Manager, Mr. Godfrey Chikwere, over what the management described as persistent negative remarks about Governor Francis Nwifuru.
The suspension, which was announced on Saturday, followed a series of broadcasts and social media posts by Chikwere, where he openly criticised the governor’s policies and communication strategy.
In a statement, the station’s management said Chikwere’s actions violated the organisation’s code of conduct.
“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,” the statement read.
“This is due to unruly behaviour and disobedience to the code of conduct guiding Legacy FM. He is hereby directed to hand over all company property in his possession to the next senior officer.”
Sources revealed that Chikwere had, in a Facebook post, urged Governor Nwifuru to adopt a tougher approach in state governance, accusing his administration of underperformance, poor communication and weak leadership among appointees.
He also warned that the governor’s perceived indecisiveness was eroding his political support.
Reacting to the suspension and criticisms, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Monday Uzor, described Chikwere’s comments as baseless and ungrateful, especially considering the support the station had received from the state government.
“It is regrettable that despite the radio station thriving only on government support, the supposed helmsman dedicates a greater percentage of the station’s airtime to attack and run down the government,” Uzor stated.
“Governor Nwifuru gifted the station a brand-new Changan SUV, donated a transformer to power the station, and even constructed the access road leading to the broadcasting house.”
Uzor accused Chikwere of failing to provide balanced coverage and instead using the platform to malign the administration.
Similarly, the State Commissioner for Information, Ikeuwa Omebeh, condemned the radio executive’s comments, calling them “derogatory and inciting.” He said the remarks were not just a personal attack on the governor but an affront to the collective identity of the people of Ebonyi State.
Chikwere is yet to issue a public response as at the time of this report.
