By Ifeanyi Uwagwu
The Delta State Government has stated that the upcoming screening of political appointees is designed to help the administration take proper stock of those in service and strengthen accountability across the public sector, according to Secretary to the State Government, Dr Kingsley Emu.
Dr Emu, in a statement announcing the exercise, explained that the screening, approved by Governor Rt. Hon. Elder Sheriff Oborevwori, would provide the government with an accurate and verifiable database of political appointees, enabling periodic checks and ensuring that official records reflect current realities in the state.
He noted that the verification exercise would also help the state confirm changes in the status of appointees arising from natural causes, migration or other factors, adding that such routine reviews were critical to transparent and effective governance.
To carry out the assignment, the Governor constituted a verification committee chaired by the Honourable Commissioner for Science and Technology, Dr Odigwe Odinigwe. Other members of the committee are the State Director of Protocol, Office of the Governor, Chief Sunday Onoriode; the Executive Assistant on Public Service Matters, Office of the Governor, Mr Augustine Oghoro; and the Deputy Director (Accounts), Office of the Accountant-General, Mrs Roseline Athora. The Deputy Director (Administration) in the Office of the Secretary to the State Government, Mr Felix Irevwi, will serve as Secretary of the committee.
The committee is mandated to conduct physical verification of all political appointees in Delta State, produce a detailed report on the outcome of the exercise and undertake any other assignment incidental to the verification process.
According to the statement, the screening will run for 21 days, beginning 28th January, 2026, and will be conducted across the various federal constituencies in the state. Appointees from Oshimili North and Oshimili South will be screened on the opening day, followed by Aniocha South and Aniocha North on January 29. The exercise continues on February 4 for Ika South and Ika North East, and on February 5 for Ndokwa West, Ndokwa East and Ukwuani.
Further screening dates include February 11 for Isoko South and Isoko North; February 12 for Udu, Ughelli North and Ughelli South; February 18 for Ethiope East and Ethiope West, and February 19 for Okpe, Sapele and Uvwie. Appointees from Warri North, Warri South and Warri South West are scheduled for February 25, while those from Burutu, Patani and Bomadi will conclude the exercise on February 26.
The verification exercise will take place at the Press Centre, beside the Chapel, Government House, Asaba. All political appointees in the state have been advised to present themselves as scheduled, while enquiries can be made through the contact numbers provided by the state government.
