Top Editors in the stable of Daily Independent Newspapers, published by Independent Newspapers Limited (INL) have been relieved of their duty.
Those affected in the exercise include, Managing Editor, Mr. Akpandem James, General Editors, Messrs. Ikechukwu Amaechi and Oguwike Nwachukwu and chairman Editorial board.
They were sacked last week. No official reason has been given by management but we gathered from impeccable sources that they were fired as a result of infighting in their ranks.
We were reliably informed that the fighting became so serious that the editors became divided such that they no longer agree at editorial meetings on how to move the paper forward and started writing petitions against one another to such an extent that it was almost crippling production.
Sources informed us that the information got to the board of directors, comprising Alhaji Gambo Lawan (Chairman), Otunba Olusola Adekanola, Ted Iwere, Williams Makinde and Adaobi Nwakuche who called on editors to make peace but they were adamant forcing the board to wield the big stick.
Were informed that the affected editors have received all their outstanding entitlements and some of them are already in the process of floating a newspaper.
Mr. Iwere a director in INL resumed as Chief Operating Officer of the newspaper in December. He is currently the Managing Director of the newspaper. Sources say he has promised to carry out far reaching measures to reposition the newspaper, part of which is the decision to employ fresh hands to beef up operation of the newspaper.