Seriake Dickson, the governor of Bayelsa state, has allegedly compiled the names of 500 workers for punishment for “supporting” the APC in the governorship elections in the state.
The Nation reports that workers in the ministries, departments and agencies within grade levels 8 to 17 are affected by the government’s action.
It was also gathered that besides the punishment, the affected civil servants had not been paid since last October.
The Nation reports that workers in the ministries, departments and agencies within grade levels 8 to 17 are affected by the government’s action.
It was also gathered that besides the punishment, the affected civil servants had not been paid since last October.
The Bayelsa state government is reportedly unhappy that the civil servants worked against the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Dickson’s re-election.
The governor’s action is generating tension among civil servants who are already planning to seek justice in court.
A special committee was reportedly set up in each of the eight local government areas to monitor the activities of pro-APC civil servants before and during the governorship polls. The governor’s order to sanction the “indicted” civil servants was said to be based on the committee’s report.
The names of the affected workers were already forwarded to the Due Process Bureau, headed by Dickson’s special adviser on treasury matters, Timi Seipulo, for appropriate action.
A source familiar with the development confirmed that there was an effort by the state government to flush out those considered APC members in the civil service.
“Right now, a fresh verification of workers is ongoing for this singular purpose. Most of these workers have not received their salaries since October, last year. While pro-PDP workers are receiving their salaries, those perceived to be APC members are not,” the source said.
Speaking with journalists, one of the affected workers, who pleaded for anonymity, said that the accountant in his establishment told them their names were missing from the payroll.
Meanwhile, Governor Dickson has recently stated that his re-election victory showed that Nigeria will never be a one party state. He also accused his main rival from the APC, Timipre Sylva, for allegedly engaging in extreme heartless politicking.
