By Shadrach Okon
Governor Umo Eno has warned politicians in Akwa Ibom State to stop inundating his phone lines with recommendations of who should be chosen as Commissioner and Special Adviser as he is would be sending list of new Commissioners and Special Advisers designates to the State House of Assembly for consideration next week.
Governor Eno who spoke yesterday during the valedictory dinner in honour of the outgoing members of the dissolved State Executive Council stated that appointing members of the State Executive Council is the exclusive responsibility of the Governor and should not be influenced by politicians.
According him, “My phone lines are already switched off, and they will remain off until next week when I send the names of the State Executive Council (Exco) designates to the House of Assembly for screening. Sending a name to me for consideration into the Exco is actually a disservice to such a person because it means I will not consider them.
Appointing members of the State Executive Council is the sole responsibility of the Governor, and I want to be allowed to choose my team.”
Governor Umo Eno had dissolved the State Executive Council (EXCO) on Friday 10th January, 2025 through a Press release signed by the Secretary to the State Government Prince Enobong Uwah.
The release directed all Commissioners and Special Advisers to handover to the Permanent Secretaries or the most senior Director in various Ministries where there is no Permanent Secretary.
It would be recalled that Governor Umo Eno upon assumption of office in 2023 had retained most of the commissioners that served in the administration of exgovernor Udom Emmanuel, a development that was received with mixed reactions from the people of the State.
