Council Financial Autonomy: A' Ibom Commissioners Resigns To Run LG Election

From Imoh ESSIEN (Uyo)

The political dynamics of Akwa Ibom state seems to be changing following the financial autonomy granted local government by Supreme Court as some commissioners in the Governor Umoh Eno’s administration have resigned their positions to contest council elections.

Those who resigned include Hon. Uno Etim Uno from State Ministry of Environment, to contest for Chairmanship position in Urue Offong Uruko LGA and Mr. Aniefiok Nkom from state ministry of labour and man power development, to contest for chairmanship position in Ikot Ekpene LGA.

The state local government election is scheduled for October, 2024.

The resignations of some commissioners to pursue local government chairmanship positions have sparked controversy and created political tensions in Akwa Ibom state, an indication that the Ita Enang-led reconciliation committee in the state is yielding results.

"President of the Senate appointed me to lead the Reconciliation Team to reconcile aggrieved members of the party. Former presidential adviser and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Akwa Ibom State, Sen. Ita Enang has said that some commissioners in the state are resigning their positions to pursue the local government funds recently made available by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

In an interview recently, Enang stated, "We've seen commissioners resigning to go for Chairmanship. As far as my knowledge of governance is concerned, being a commissioner and member of the State Executive Council is higher than being a local government chairman.

"He suggested that the commissioners' move is driven by "greed" as they want to "feast on the Tinubu money that has arrived the LGAs.

"Enang, who was appointed by the President of the Senate to lead the APC Reconciliation Team in Akwa Ibom, noted that the APC is now in a strong position to take over the state.

He said, "This is the best time for APC to take over the state.

President Tinubu has given to the State what no other president has given to us. Akwa Ibom now receives three times, what Mr Udom Emmanuel was receiving as monthly allocation.

"The APC chieftain also expressed confidence in the party's chances in the upcoming local government elections, said, "Akwa Ibom People are willing and ready for APC leadership in the state."

He noted that under the previous administration, local government chairmen were receiving far less funds, but "no one can see what they have done with the money."

Enang further stated that the APC is determined to "rescue the 'Tinubu money' that they are going after" and expressed hope that the ruling party in the state will not resort to "their normal strategy of writing the results in the government house, while we're winning them at the field."

The news of commissioners resigning to pursue local government chairmanship positions has sparked controversy, with Enang's allegations highlighting the ongoing political tensions in Akwa Ibom State.

Ita Enang said his appointment as chairman of the reconciliation committee in the state is yielding results.

"President of the Senate appointed me to lead the Reconciliation Team to reconcile aggrieved members of the party.

The appointment was also ratified by the zonal authorities of the Party about a month ago. So far, we held preliminary meetings and set out modalities for engagement.

We have decided to take certain steps and then report to the leader of the party within the period. This will happen before the LG elections.

"This is the best time for APC to take over the state.

President Tinubu has given to the State what no other president has given to us.

Akwa Ibom now receives three times, what Mr Udom Emmanuel was receiving as monthly allocation", Enang said.