There have been mixed reactions in Akwa Ibom State following the resignation of two commissioners in Governor Umo Eno’s cabinet ahead of the local government chairmanship election on October 5, 2024.
The Commissioners for Environment and Mineral Resources, Chief Etim Uno from Urueoffong Oruko LGA and that of Labour and Manpower Planning, Mr Aniefiok Nkom from Ikot Ekpene LGA had last week resigned in pursuit of the local government chairmanship ambition.
The move, some have claimed, was not unconnected to financial autonomy granted to local governments by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The autonomy, which grants local governments greater control over their finances and administrative functions, has made these positions more attractive and influential.
Observers noted that the commissioners, having realized the increased allocations to local governments’ coffers, smartly resigned in order to enjoy the benefits therein.
Others believed it was a proactive move by the duo to still remain active in politics since the governor, Pastor Eno, was alleged to be planning a cabinet shake up and there were possibilities that they could be booted out.
Meanwhile, the duo had in the statewide Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) primaries held on August 2, secured the party’s tickets to contest the chairmanship for their respective local governments.
A PDP insider, who spoke on the condition of anonymity said: “Maybe before the end of the month, they would leave office completely.
“I think they just want to go and enjoy local government financial autonomy. They still want to remain in government “
The State Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Mr. Boronno Bassey, who dismissed the insinuations, said the two commissioners heeded to the clarion call of their people to vie for the office.
He said the stakeholders from both LGAs had written to the party leadership of their wish for the two commissioners to represent them in the coming LG chairmanship poll.
According to him, “There are two commissioners contesting for chairmanship seats in the forthcoming LG election.
“They are Chief Etim Uno and Aniefiok Nkom from Ikot Ekpene LGA.
“It was the people of Ikot Ekpene and Urueoffong Oruko Local Government Areas who wrote calling on the commissioners to run for the chairmanship seats.
“The Governor and leader of the party now said if your people are calling on you to come and represent them, please go and ensure you initiate and execute robust development projects at the grassroots as you have done in your respective ministries.
“So it is their people who called them to come and contest. And it was like a carnival on that day of the nomination in both Urueoffong Oruko and Ikot Ekpene LGAs. The people were happy and excited “
However, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC in the State, Senator Ita Enang has described the move as “ambition driven by greed.”
Enang, who wondered how a commissioner would come down from his position to vie for a lower office of a local government chairman, said the attitude was an indication that they want to feast on public funds
“We’ve seen commissioners resigning to go for LG Chairmanship. As far as my knowledge of governance is concerned, being a commissioner and member of the State Executive Council is higher than being a local government chairman.
“Under the previous administration, LG chairmen were receiving far fewer funds, but no one can see what they (current LGs) have done with the money.
“The commissioners’ move is driven by greed as they want to feast on the increased money that now comes to the LGAs,” he said.
Akwa Ibom LG polls: Reactions trail commissioners’ resignation
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