Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State has dismissed two of his political aides for attending the just-concluded Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) national convention in Ibadan, Oyo State, against his directive.
Those sacked include:
- Joseph Jacob Ikpak – Senior Special Assistant on Support Services
- Felix Ekuri – Special Assistant on Neighbourhood Watch
The announcement was made on Monday by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Enobong Uwah, who described the move as part of an “ongoing restructuring exercise” aimed at realigning government operations with the governor’s Renewed Hope and ARISE Agenda.
However, insider sources disclosed that the real reason for their removal was their attendance at the PDP convention. Photos of the aides at the venue circulated online shortly after the sack was confirmed.
Multiple sources within Government House told PREMIUM TIMES that Governor Eno was angered by what he considered a clear act of disloyalty. In response, he has summoned all political aides to an emergency meeting on Wednesday at the Government House in Uyo.
The development has heightened tension within the administration, amid concerns that many top officials, including commissioners, remain loyal to the PDP and former governor Udom Emmanuel, despite Eno’s defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in June.
Since crossing to the APC, Eno has struggled with internal resistance and political friction over the sharing of appointments between long-standing APC members and recent defectors.
Adding to the political drama, Ini Ememobong, who resigned from Eno’s cabinet instead of defecting to the APC, was elected National Publicity Secretary of the PDP during the Ibadan convention.
