Controversy Continues To Trail General Manager Succession At The Pointer Newspapers

As The Pointer Newspapers prepares for a change in leadership, controversy has emerged over the process adopted for selecting the next General Manager. Traditionally, the succession process in government agencies entails compiling the names of the three most senior officers, which is then forwarded to the board and subsequently transmitted to the supervisory ministry – the Ministry of Information – for final selection. This process was followed in the last two appointments in 2023 and 2024.

However, the current board headed by Dr. Ebenezer Okorodudu has deviated from this precedent by directing all staff on Grade Levels 15 to 17 to participate in a screening exercise held on Wednesday, January 29, 2025. This move has sparked concerns among senior staff members, who see it as a deliberate attempt to sideline the most qualified candidates and introduce an arbitrary selection process that could undermine career progression, seniority, and the established rules of the civil service.

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The outgoing General Manager, Mr. Godfrey Ubaka, who took over from Mr. Sam Ijeh who spent six-and-a-half-month in office, is set to retire on February 16, 2025, after serving for 11 months. Under normal circumstances, his successor should be chosen from the three most senior officers, ensuring a smooth transition and upholding the principles of merit-based advancement. However, by calling for an open screening without formally advertising the position, the board’s decision raises questions about fairness and transparency.

“This action sets a dangerous precedent,” said a senior staff member who spoke on condition of anonymity. “It undermines morale and career growth while giving room for favoritism. If this practice is allowed to stand, it will send a clear message that experience, seniority, and dedication mean nothing in the civil service.”

Further compounding the controversy is the board’s decision to disqualify officers with less than six to seven years of service from the selection process – a move that contradicts public service rules. Many employees are now questioning what has changed between 2023 and now to warrant such a departure from the established norm.

Concerns of a pre-arranged outcome were seemingly confirmed when one of the candidates took to a WhatsApp group shortly after the screening exercise to share details of the process. In his post, the candidate expressed gratitude to his colleagues and presented his credentials, highlighting his background in journalism, marketing, and public relations. However, the timing and nature of his message have fueled speculation that the outcome of the selection process was predetermined.

“We were more than ten persons who were interviewed, thereby making it competitive,” the candidate wrote. He went on to list his qualifications, including his membership of the Nigerian Institute of Management and his past roles in The Pointer Newspapers.

While there is no official confirmation of his selection, the fact that he openly discussed his ambitions before any announcement has been made raises doubts about the fairness of the process. Staff members argue that the exercise was a mere formality employed by the Board to endorse a preferred candidate.

In light of these concerns, affected senior staff members are appealing to the Delta State Governor to intervene and ensure due process is followed. They argue that a disregard of the established succession procedures will not only breed dissatisfaction but also damage the credibility of the government’s commitment to justice, fairness, and equity in appointments.

While they pleaded with the governor to step in and restore order, some members of staff of the Corporation stated that is not just about one appointment; but about protecting the integrity of the civil service through adherence to the precedents for to fill emerging vacancies.

They also questioned why the board chairman, Olorogun Ebenezer Okorodudu still holds sway in the organisation more than one month after his appointment as Executive Director of Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC) over a month ago.

At the time of publishing this report, responding to a text message sent to him, Olorogun Okorodudu declined making comments.