Eno Sends 27 Commissioner Nominees To Akwa Ibom Assembly For Confirmation

Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State has forwarded the names of 27 nominees to the state assembly for confirmation as commissioners and special advisers.

This is coming more than three weeks after the State Executive Council was dissolved.

According to the Governor, forwarding the names of the nominees to the state assembly is in line with section 192(2) of the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended.

“I forward the under-listed names of nominees for appointment to the office of the Commissioners and Special Advisers for confirmation by the State House of Assembly,’’ he said in a letter to the speaker, Mr Udeme Otong.

According to the list, Eno has retained many of the commissioners he inherited from his predecessor, including the commissioner for finance, Linus Nkan; former information commissioner, Ini Ememobong; and former commissioner for local government and chieftaincy affairs, Frank Archibong.

Other returning commissioners include Eno Ibanga, who was appointed by former governor Udom Emmanuel and had served in the Ministry of Works; former Commissioner for Economic Development, Emem Bob; and Iniobong Ekong, who was commissioner for Lands.

The new faces include Aniekan Umanah, who has served as commissioner under former governor Godswill Akpabio for seven years and was a member of the House of Representatives; veteran sports journalist Paul Bassey, who is currently serving as chairman of Akwa United FC; and Henry Achibong, a former member of the House of Representatives.

Those who have been dropped include Charles Udoh, who was Commissioner for Culture and Tourism; Idongesit Etiebet, who was in charge of education and former Commissioner for Housing; and Raphael Bassey, who has now been replaced by Princess Emem Ibanga, both of whom are from the same local government area.

Also not returning to the state executive council are Ini Adiakpan, former commissioner for women’s affairs whose name is missing on the list and Monday Ukoh, who was first appointed by former governor Godswill Akpabio and had served as commissioner for sports for several years.

The governor has also brought in new nominees, including Nsikak Ekong from Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area, who was in the House of Representatives; Anietie Udofia from Uyo Local Government Area; and Ubong Essien from Nsit Ibom Council area, among others.

Eno Sends 27 Commissioner Nominees To Akwa Ibom Assembly For Confirmation is first published on The Whistler Newspaper