Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State has dismissed two of his political aides for attending the recent Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) convention in Ibadan, Oyo State, against his directive.
The aides affected are Joseph Jacob Ikpak, senior special assistant on support services, and Felix Ekuri, special assistant on Neighbourhood Watch. Enobong Uwah, Secretary to the Akwa Ibom State Government, confirmed their removal in a statement on Monday in Uyo, framing it as part of an “ongoing restructuring exercise to align the machinery of government with the Renewed Hope and ARISE Agenda.”
However, sources within the administration indicate the actual reason was the aides’ attendance at the PDP convention. Photos of them at the event circulated on social media shortly after the announcement of their dismissal.
Government insiders told PREMIUM TIMES that Governor Eno, reportedly displeased with their actions, has called an emergency meeting for all political aides on Wednesday at Government House, Uyo. “A notice for the meeting has already been sent out by the SSG,” a cabinet source said, adding that there is concern over lingering loyalty among officials, including commissioners, to the PDP and former governor Udom Emmanuel.
Since defecting to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in June, Eno has faced challenges managing political loyalty, with tensions rising over the distribution of positions between longtime APC members and recent defectors from the PDP. Notably, Ini Ememobong, who resigned rather than switch allegiance, was elected national spokesperson of the PDP at the convention on Saturday.
