A 16-year reign at the Abia State House of Assembly has just been put on ice.

The Abia State Government has suspended the Clerk of the State House of Assembly, Mr JohnPedro Irokansi, over alleged misconduct in the discharge of his duties.

Now, this isn't a small name. Irokansi has held that office for 16 solid years, surviving three successive administrations in Umuahia. That's practically a political lifetime in Nigerian civil service.

The suspension was confirmed in an official letter dated 20 May 2026, signed by the State Head of Service, Mr Benson Ojeikere.

And the government didn't waste time naming a replacement. A Deputy Director in the Legislative Department, Mr Promise Onwukwe, has been appointed as Acting Clerk with immediate effect.

What's the alleged misconduct? That's the part still under wraps. The letter didn't spell it out, it simply directed Onwukwe to take full charge "pending the conclusion of investigation and further directives from the appropriate authorities."

He was also given the usual civil-service marching orders:

“Safeguard all government property, official records and documents duly handed over to you in accordance with extant regulations.”

Translation: keep everything intact while the probe runs its course.

cbinewstv reports that, for now, it's a wait-and-see in Abia. A long-serving clerk is out, an acting clerk is in, and the state government is keeping the details close to its chest.

#AbiaState #AbiaPolitics #NigeriaNews #HouseOfAssembly #Umuahia #AlexOtti #CivilService #cbinews