Governor Umo Éno of Akwa Ibom State issued a stern warning to the newly appointed Personal Assistants (PAs), cautioning them to reside within their respective ward areas. He emphasized that failure to do so could result in their dismissal.
During the inauguration of the 368 PAs in the state, held in Uyo, the state capital, the governor asserted that those appointed should expect the same level of disappointment if they do not adhere to this requirement.
Éno stated, “Follow my footsteps of respect to everyone and try to unite the people in your wards. Now that you have been appointed, you are the personal assistant to the governor. So, your loyalty is just to the governor.
“We have promised to return power to the people in line with our party mantra, ‘power to the people,’ and this really means power to the people at the grassroots. That’s what we are trying to do.
“We insisted that everyone that has been picked will live within their wards. And I hope this is the true situation. But let me warn you that if there is any time we find out that you are not living in your ward, we will not hesitate to remove you. We want people who will give us reports on the ground in their various wards.
“So, if you take this appointment and we later find out that you are in Uyo, or you are not living within your own ward, note that the same way that we appointed you today, we will disappoint you tomorrow because the hands that has appointed can also disappoint.”
He urged the PAs to act as government ambassadors, promoting the A.R.I.S.E. agenda blueprint at the grassroots level and fostering peace and unity within their communities.
To enhance organization and efficiency in communication and work delivery, the governor introduced a two-tier liaison structure to facilitate interaction between the 368 PAs and his office.
In line with this development, Governor Eno appointed Dr. Godwin Ntukudeh as a political adviser, along with three honorary advisers representing the state’s three senatorial districts.
The other appointees are Udo Akpan (Honorary Special Adviser, Political) for the Ikot Ekpene senatorial district, Bishop Sam Akpan (Eket senatorial district), and Dr. Henry Archibong (Uyo senatorial district).
He said, “368 people reporting to me would be very difficult. There are structures that we are going to put in place that would help galvanise you all and help us to work together.”
The appointments, he clarified, have no interference with the duties of the Bureau of Political and Legislative Affairs.
While cautioning the new appointees against the abuse of office and display of dishonest tendencies that are inimical to the unity of the party and the society at large, he urged them to adopt a disposition of humility to mend fences, accommodate various interests, and show respect to leadership across levels. He appealed to others qualified but not yet appointed persons to be patient as other opportunities will keep unfolding in due course.