Akwa Ibom Governor, Emmanuel, Sacks Commissioner

In a minor cabinet reshuffle, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs in Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Udo Ekpenyong has been sacked by the State Governor, Mr Udom Emmanuel.

A two-paragraph official statement issued by the State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Charles Udoh yesterday, captioned “reshuffling of Akwa Ibom State Executive Council” was silent on the reason for the sack of the Commissioner.

Only the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs who was seen as one of the cabinet members was removed with immediate effect out of the 17 Commissioners and two Special Advisers sworn into office on December 2, 2016.

The statement reads: “Governor Udom Emmanuel has effected a minor reshuffling of his cabinet. By this development, the Hon. Commissioner, Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Udo Ekpeyong, has been relieved of his portfolio with immediate effect.

“The Government of Akwa Ibom State thanks Hon. Ekpeyong for his services to the state while serving as a member of the State Executive Council and wishes him well in his future endeavours”.

A source told Thisday that the removal of the commissioner may not be unconnected with the near scuffle he had with one of the top government officials on Thursday during a breakfast meeting in Government House, Uyo

Thisday learnt that the State Governor had on January 4, 2018 invited PDP stakeholders from the Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District for the breakfast meeting where the sacked commissioner had an encounter with another state official.