Soludo orders handover as Anambra appointees step aside pending new cabinet after his second-term swearing-in

Anambra State Governor, Chukwuma Soludo, has directed all political appointees to step aside and complete a formal handover of duties, signalling the start of administrative restructuring following his swearing-in for a new term.

Also read: Soludo sworn in for second term as Anambra governor

The directive, issued on Wednesday, mandates that affected officials transfer responsibilities to permanent secretaries or the most senior civil servants in their respective ministries, departments and agencies.

The order was conveyed in an official notice signed by Nwabufo Nwankwo, Permanent Secretary in the Office of the Secretary to the State Government.

According to the notice, all handover processes were to be concluded by the close of work on March 18, pending the constitution of a new cabinet.

“I am directed to inform all political appointees to hand over to the permanent secretaries or the most senior civil servant in the various MDAs… until a new cabinet is constituted,” the statement read.

The move underscores a decisive transition phase as Soludo begins his fresh mandate, widely seen as a strategic reset aimed at strengthening governance and policy execution.

The notice also directed all first-term cabinet members to attend a meeting with the governor scheduled for March 23 at the ANSEC Chambers in Awka.

The development comes a day after Soludo and his deputy, Onyekachukwu Ibezim, were sworn in at the Alex Ekwueme Square in the presence of top political figures.

The oath of office was administered by the Anambra State Chief Judge, Justice Onochie Anyachebelu, at a ceremony attended by Vice President Kashim Shettima, as well as former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan.

Observers say the directive is a standard but critical step in ensuring continuity in governance while allowing the governor to assemble a new team aligned with his policy priorities.

Also read: Anambra police boost security ahead of Soludo inauguration

The transition is expected to shape the next phase of governance in Anambra, with attention now turning to the composition of the incoming cabinet and its policy direction.