Governor Udom reliefs CoS of position, Akwa Ibom people react

Akwa Ibom state government has relieved the Chief of Staff to the governor, Akparawa Ephraim Inyangeyen, of his position.

This was contained in a statement signed by the state Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Ini Ememobong, and made available to journalists in Uyo the state capital, yesterday.

According to the Commissioner, his release stemmed from an earlier letter issued by the Secretary to the State government, Dr. Emmanuel Ekuwem, and addressed to him.

“On behalf of His Excellency, the Governor, government and the good people of Akwa Ibom State, I write to convey to you His Excellency, the Governor’s profound appreciation of the worthy contributions you made to the development of our dear State while you served as Chief of Staff to the Governor.

“However, given the urgent need to match skill set and competencies to the task of maintaining the momentum of economic development in peace, your services are no longer required and you are hereby relieved of your position, as Chief of Staff ( CoS) to His Excellency, the Governor with immediate effect”.

However, the sacking of the CoS may not be unconnected with rumours that made the rounds that Inyangeyen was not supporting the preferred successor of the governor, Mr. Umoh Eno.

Again, the former Chief of Staff had declared his intention to run for the Akwa Ibom South Senatorial seat and in the course of his consultations, told his clans and wards, people, that the allegation accusing him that as Commissioner for Works, he diverted money meant for the construction of Ndon-Eyo-ikot Akpa Etek roads, thereby leading to the abandonment of the road.

Responding, the senatorial aspirant, told his kinsmen that, money meant for the road project was paid to the contractor through the office of the accountant general, stressing that he never collected such money.

Most people who reacted to the removal of the governor’s right-hand supporter said government action may not be unconnected to his not supporting the governor’s succession plans.

Also, others observed that the governor’s action must have been too hasty as the political atmosphere in the State was already fragile, thereby trying to go against the maintained peace slogan of the government propagated through the Maintain Peace Movement, group.

“Recently, the announcement of the governor’s preferred successor come 2023, has already heated up the polity, so with the sacking of the CoS, who was regarded as the strongest ally, from same council area, may come with another cacophony of reactions”, some people avered.