The Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has dismissed two of his political aides for allegedly flouting his directives by attending the recent Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) national convention held in Ibadan, Oyo State. The affected aides, Joseph Jacob Ikpak, Senior Special Assistant on Support Services, and Felix Ekuri, Special Assistant on Neighbourhood Watch, were relieved of their duties with immediate effect.
The removal announcement was contained in a statement issued by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Enobong Uwah, who described the development as part of an ongoing restructuring process within the administration. However, multiple sources suggest that their attendance at the convention, against the governor’s explicit instructions, was the real trigger.
According to reports, Governor Eno had instructed his appointees to stay away from the Ibadan convention due to internal political considerations within the state chapter of the PDP. Despite the directive, both Ikpak and Ekuri were seen at the event, with photographs of their participation circulating widely on social media, causing embarrassment to the state government.
Insiders say the governor viewed their actions as a breach of loyalty and a display of “anti-party activity.” While the official government statement did not outline the specific infractions, sources revealed that their attendance was perceived as aligning with interests opposed to the state’s political strategy.
In the aftermath of the incident, the governor reportedly convened an emergency meeting involving all political aides to address what he described as growing indiscipline and disregard for constituted authority. The meeting was said to focus on reinforcing unity, order, and alignment with the administration’s agenda.
The decision to sack the aides has drawn varied reactions from political observers and party members. While some applaud the governor for taking decisive action to enforce discipline, others believe the move may escalate tensions within the PDP, especially amid ongoing internal reorganisation efforts.
Despite the controversy, the state government maintains that the reshuffle is aimed at strengthening Governor Eno’s Renewed Hope and ARISE Agenda, ensuring that all appointees operate in line with the administration’s goals. As of press time, no replacements have been announced for the dismissed aides.
