Akpabio sacks cabinet, gives 4-day reprieve

Posted by admin Akwa Ibom, Headlines, State News Thursday, May 26th, 2011

Akwa Ibom State Governor, Chief Godswill Akpabio has sacked his entire 26-member cabinet as he prepares for a second term swearing-in this weekend.
DailySun learnt that the governor announced the resolution of the cabinet in a valedictory executive council meeting with the erstwhile commissioners and special advisers, on Wednesday.

The outgoing commissioner for information and social re-orientation, Mr Aniekan Umanah, who confirmed this to newsmen yesterday said the governor had, however, given the cabinet members a four-day reprieve to stay till Saturday, May 28, 2011, before finally vacating the posts and possibly official residence, a day to the swearing-in of the governor for a second term.

Though Umanah could not confirm whether Akpabio’s personal aides were also affected in the purge, he explained that those he was aware got their letters relieving them of their duties were the commissioners, special advisers, secretary to the state government and the head of service. “Chief Akpabio used the forum to thank the outgoing Deputy Governor, Mr Patrick Ekpotu, the Secretary to the State Government, Mr Umana Okon Umana and all the members of the state executive council for their diligent contributions to the state executive council since 2007.

He gave kudos to the outgoing state executive council members for the uncommon transformation that had taken place in the state in the last four years, noting that, “it is in your time that the Ibom International Airport was inaugurated. It is in your time that the federal and state roads, the e-library and the five general hospitals were constructed. You were able to enhance my administration and I dedicate all the achievements we have made in the last four years to you.”

Similarly, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr Usoro Isaac Usosro told our correspondent that though the Governor had not expressly given the personal aides letters relieving them of their appointments, it was implicit that such political appointee must be ready to leave at the end of the governor’s tenure. “It is even in the constitution. The appointees leave with the person who appointed them and if there is need for their services to be retained, then that would be a fresh appointment. “On our part, the governor has already written and signed letters of appreciation to all of us, his personal aides. It is understandable that we shall leave on May 29.”

The Governor has more than 30 personal aides such as the press secretary, senior special assistants, personal assistants and the rest. Umanah had also said that after the swearing-in which would take place at Uyo Sports stadium, the state would move into a thanksgiving service to be organized by the state government in conjunction with the state chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), before a state banquet at the Five Star Hotel where only select few would be invited due to logistics reasons.

-Sunwp_posts