Akwa Ibom Governor threatens to sack council chairpersons

Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom state has threatened to dismiss any local council official not residing in their rural communities.

The governor announced this on Thursday, December 7, during the swearing-in ceremony of an interim administration for the state's 31 local government areas.

The Akwa Ibom House of Assembly had approved the governor's request to establish an interim administration following the expiration of the elected officials' tenure.

While administering the oath of office to the new appointees, Governor Eno emphasised his commitment to enforcing their residency in their respective domains.

As reported by Premium Times, he said:

“Let me state very clearly that you must reside in your respective local government areas. You cannot administer your council from another location.

“If you are living in Uyo and governing your local government, if I find out I will gather intelligence, compile my records, we will announce you removed.

Previously, the governor had proposed a bill to the State Assembly to compel local council principal officers to reside in their areas, but it was withdrawn after discovering an existing law covering this requirement.

Governor Eno also disclosed plans to construct lodges for principal officers at local council headquarters, as mentioned during the presentation of the 2024 appropriation bill.

It remains unclear how the governor intends to ensure the compliance of council chairpersons, who predominantly work from Uyo, the state capital.

Despite previous efforts by a former governor to provide lodges for council officials, many of these facilities have been abandoned and overrun by weeds.