The management of Legacy FM, a private radio station in Ebonyi State, has reinstated its acting General Manager, Mr Odoh Godfrey Chikwere, just days after suspending him over alleged criticisms of Governor Francis Nwifuru.
Suspension and Recall
In a statement issued Monday in Abakaliki, the station confirmed that Chikwere would resume work immediately, starting Tuesday, August 12, 2025.
Chikwere was initially suspended on Saturday, August 9, 2025, following allegations that he made critical comments about the state government on-air and on social media.
The station’s earlier suspension notice read:
“The management of Legacy FM 95.1, The Sound of Now, hereby suspends the acting General Manager, Godfrey Chikwere, with immediate effect, till further notice. This is due to unruly behaviour and disobedience to the code of conduct guiding Legacy FM. With such effect, he is hereby directed to hand over all the company property in his possession to the next senior officer.”However, Legacy FM maintained that the suspension was driven by internal disciplinary concerns rather than political interference.
The Facebook Post That Sparked Controversy
The incident stemmed from a Facebook post on Friday, August 8, 2025, in which Chikwere accused the Nwifuru administration of poor communication, underperformance by appointees, and lack of a clear policy direction.
“The administration is suffering from poor communication, underperformance by his appointees, and a lack of clear policy direction,” he wrote, urging the governor to “step on toes to achieve results.”Chikwere’s remarks included a call for decisive leadership, warning that the status quo could erode the administration’s support base.
Government’s Response
Reacting to the post, Monday Uzor, Chief Press Secretary to Governor Nwifuru, dismissed the allegations as unfounded and accused Chikwere of ingratitude.
“These claims are baseless. The Nwifuru-led government has shown significant support to Legacy FM,” Uzor stated.He highlighted the administration’s contributions to the station, including the donation of a new SUV, the installation of a transformer, and the construction of the access road to its premises.
Broader Implications
This incident has stirred public debate over press freedom, political sensitivity, and the line between professional discipline and political reprisal in Nigeria’s media industry. While the station insists its actions were non-political, observers say the quick reinstatement suggests a desire to ease tensions and avoid escalating the controversy.
