Governor Emmanuel Sacks Commissioner

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By; PATRICK TITUS, Uyo
The Akwa Ibom State Governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel has relieved his Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr. Udo Ekpenyong his portfolio in a minor cabinet reshuffle on Friday.
The development came barely three days after the Akwa Ibom State held a solemn assembly thanking God for His benevolences upon the state so far and rededicating the state to God for 2018.
State commissioner for information and strategy, Mr. Charles Udo who in a press release announced the removal of Mr. Ekpenyong from office, said that the removal was with immediate effect.
Although the release did not give reason for Mr. Ekpenyong’s removal from the state executive council but it however thanked him for his services to the state while serving as a member of the council and wished him well in his future endeavours.
Meanwhile, unconfirmed sources from government house, Uyo told New Nigerian that Mr. Ekpenyong’s removal from office is not unconnected with an alleged uncomplimentary remarks made by the former governor, Senator Godswill Akpabio berating the administration of Governor Udom Emmanuel of not performing to his expectation.
It was also alleged that the former Governor who is now a Senator representing Ikot Ekpene senatorial district in the national assembly, had on Sunday at a political forum held at Abak local government area of the state accused his predecessor of abandoning his signature projects in the district.
Sources further disclosed that the now sacked commissioner who was in that forum and for reason of trying to defend Governor Emmanuel; his boss sponsored some journalists who were present at the event to play down on Senator Akpabio’s comments in their reports.
Ekpenyong’s intervening role, according to the source angered Senator Akpabio who wished the media should have reported all he said unedited, because according to him his comments were not meant to spite governor Emmanuel but a statement of facts that must be told.
They added that Senator Akpabio in a swift reaction, ordered Governor Emmanuel to sack Mr. Ekpenyong from the cabinet or risk his relationship with him (Senator Akpabio) including supporting the Governor’s second term bid in 2019
Being that the sacked Ekpenyong was one of the nominees of Senator Akpabio to Governor Emmanuel Executive council as a commissioner, the Governor was left with no alternative but to obey the order and relieve Mr. Ekpenyong of his portfolio with immediate effect, sources further said.

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