ASABA, DELTA STATE – Fresh details have emerged surrounding the recent redeployment of two Delta State commissioners, with sources alleging that the changes were triggered by investigations into suspected corrupt practices within their ministries.
Governor Sheriff Oborevwori last month approved a cabinet reshuffle that saw the Commissioner for Energy, Sunny Tatabuzogwu, moved to the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Renewal. At the same time, the Commissioner for Secondary Education, Mrs. Rose Ezewu, was reassigned to the Ministry of Primary Education.
The reshuffle, announced in a statement signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Kingsley Eze Emu, took immediate effect. Under the changes, Michael Ifeanyi Anoka, who previously headed Physical Planning and Urban Renewal, was appointed as the new Commissioner for Energy, while Kingsley Ashibuogwu replaced Mrs. Ezewu as Commissioner for Secondary Education.
However, sources familiar with the matter claim the redeployments were not routine administrative decisions but were linked to alleged financial misconduct.
According to a former Permanent Secretary who spoke on condition of anonymity, the redeployed Energy Commissioner was allegedly involved in a questionable financial arrangement concerning the State’s Independent Power Plant (IPP).
The IPP, a major project initiated under former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, supplies electricity to the State Secretariat, the Prof. Chike Edozien Secretariat, and other government offices in Asaba. Private individuals are also allowed to connect to the IPP upon payment of approved fees to the state government.
The source alleged that instead of directing payments into government accounts, certain fees were diverted into private bank accounts in collaboration with senior ministry officials.
The matter reportedly came to light after a serving commissioner, who had connected electricity from the IPP to his residence in Asaba, requested official payment details. According to the source, he was allegedly given a private bank account instead of a government account. After making the payment, he reportedly presented evidence to the governor.
An investigation was said to have followed, during which authorities allegedly discovered that significant funds meant for the state government had been diverted.
The source claimed that Governor Oborevwori was angered by the findings and initially considered dismissing the commissioner but instead opted for redeployment.
The source further alleged that political interests linked to the IPP influenced the decision. According to the claim, the Energy Ministry has historically been sensitive due to its connection to the power project initiated during the Okowa administration.
After Governor Oborevwori assumed office in 2023, former Governor Okowa reportedly nominated Jerry Ehiwarior as Commissioner for Energy. Ehiwarior later resigned and became Chairman of Ika South Local Government. Sunny Tatabuzogwu, a former chairman of the same local government, was subsequently appointed to replace him.
The redeployed Commissioner for Secondary Education, Mrs. Rose Ezewu, was also accused by the source of involvement in alleged extortion and imposition of unauthorized levies within the education sector. The claims suggest that her conduct may have contributed to the governor’s decision to reassign her.
However, no official statement has been issued confirming any wrongdoing.
Further developments show that two Deputy Directors in the Ministry of Energy — Unabor Austin (Deputy Director, Electrical) and Nwaebo Frank U. (Deputy Director, Electrical) — have been redeployed to the Office of the Head of Service.
A circular dated January 27, 2026, with reference number HOS/PM/26/VOL.V/58, confirmed their redeployment with immediate effect. The circular was signed by Usenu A.I. on behalf of the Head of Service and copied to key government officials, including the Governor, Deputy Governor, Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Commissioners, and other top state authorities.
The document stated:
“I am directed to announce the deployment of the underlisted officers with immediate effect.”
Efforts to reach Mrs. Rose Ezewu for comment were unsuccessful, as her mobile phone was unreachable at the time of filing this report.
When contacted, Sunny Tatabuzogwu declined to address the allegations, saying:
“I’m no longer in that ministry and I can’t answer any question from there. You didn’t give me job, are you my governor? This is my first time of hearing anything concerning this your question.”
As of the time of this report, the Delta State Government has not publicly confirmed any investigation or disciplinary action related to the redeployments.
While the administration has presented the reshuffle as a routine adjustment, the allegations have raised questions about internal accountability and financial oversight within key ministries.
Observers say further clarification from the state government may be necessary to address public concerns and restore confidence in the affected ministries.
