Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State has relieved two of his political aides from their positions after they reportedly attended the recent Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) national convention in Ibadan, Oyo State, against his instructions.
The affected officials are Joseph Jacob Ikpak, Senior Special Assistant on Support Services, and Felix Ekuri, Special Assistant on Neighbourhood Watch.
Their dismissal was made public on Monday through a statement issued by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Enobong Uwah, in Uyo.
Uwah explained that the move was part of Governor Eno’s “ongoing restructuring exercise to align the machinery of government with the goals of the Renewed Hope and ARISE Agenda.”
However, sources close to the administration told Premium Times that the primary reason for the sack was the aides’ participation in the PDP convention. Photographs showing both men at the Ibadan event have been widely shared on social media since the announcement.
Officials within Government House, Uyo, disclosed that Governor Eno, reportedly displeased with the situation, has called an emergency meeting for all political aides on Wednesday.
“A notice for the meeting has been circulated by the SSG,” said a senior official, adding that internal tensions within the government have intensified.
Since Governor Eno’s defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in June, questions of loyalty have surfaced within his administration.
Many appointees and commissioners are reportedly still sympathetic to the PDP and loyal to his predecessor, former Governor Udom Emmanuel.
The internal divide has been exacerbated by disputes over political appointments, particularly regarding the allocation of positions between core APC members and former PDP members who joined Eno, including the governor himself.
Further emphasizing the political split, former commissioner Ini Ememobong, who resigned rather than follow Eno to the APC, was elected on Saturday at the PDP national convention as the party’s spokesperson.
