The Kogi State Government has denied allegations of ethnic bias in its civil service recruitment process, following a viral voice note in which a female civil servant claimed that Ebirayouths were being excluded from employment opportunities.
Responding on Saturday in Lokoja, the Commissioner for Information and Communications, Mr. Kingsley Fanwo, urged residents to remain calm and disregard what he described as misinformation.
The government’s response follows growing public concern over the circulating audio, with officials maintaining that recruitment under Governor Ahmed Ododo is guided by merit, available resources, and fairness across all demographic groups.
In a statement, Fanwo rejected claims of discrimination, noting that while the civil servant has the right to express her views, some individuals have amplified and misrepresented the situation.
“Governor Ododo has sworn to serve the state without bias. Civil service employment will be based on competence, capacity, and resource availability. This will ensure fair representation across the state,” he said.
Fanwo further emphasised the administration’s commitment to transparency and open communication, adding that steps are being taken to improve public understanding of recruitment policies.
He disclosed that measures have also been introduced to protect the civil servant involved, while strengthening internal feedback mechanisms to ensure employee concerns are addressed promptly—an important component of effective public-sector HR governance.
The commissioner called on residents to remain peaceful and refrain from spreading unverified information, reaffirming the government’s commitment to fairness and inclusive employment practices.
