Gov Eno Dissolves State Executive Council

… Says Outgone Exco Members Did Extremely Well  
By Bassey Nkponam
UYO
Twenty months after his inauguration as governor of Akwa Ibom, the State governor has dissolved the State Executive Council with effect from January 10, 2025.
Pastor Umo Eno announced the dissolution, Friday, during a Valedictory Executive Council meeting which took place at the State EXCO Chambers, Government House, Uyo.
Eno  said the dissolution was not as a result of their non performance, thanking them for their contributions towards the actualisation of the ARISE Agenda.
“I feel that, particularly, there are some people that were with me throughout the campaign, during the election. Almost two years after, we have kept our words, we brought everyone back on board.
“Any coach will at the course of the match, change some players because he is preserving them for a bigger match ahead, sometimes because he does not want them to get injured.
“So for me, if they were to be changed based on non performance, I think none of the commissioners will go. They all have delivered and that’s why the ARISE Agenda has succeeded. But we must come to the end of a season, start another season and keep moving. We know that by the grace of God, they’re all still part of the government and I will continue to work with them in different capacities. I trust also that anytime any of them is called upon as a citizen of the State to render any service, they will be able to render such service with all of their hearts”.
In a release issued by the secretary to the state government, Prince Enobong Uwah, the governor directed all commissioners and special adviser to hand over to their permanent secretaries or the most senior director where there is no permanent secretary. 
He expressed his sincere appreciation to the outgoing executive council members for their dedicated service to the state and their contributions to the development of Akwa Ibom, while wishing them well in their future endeavours. 
The governor, who later hosted the outgone members of the State executive council in a first of its kind valedictory dinner at the Banquet Hall, Government House, Uyo, eulogised them for their contributions to the success of his ARISE Agenda blueprint, saying, they have done extremely well.
He thanked them for their service to the state and assured them that though the end of the current service to the state may have come to an end, it may however signal the beginning of other layers of service that they may still be expected to undertake in the service of Akwa Ibom and its people.   
Eno attributed the success of his administration in the last 20 months to the passionate dedication shown by them to the realisation of the vision as captured in the economic and governance blueprint – ARISE Agenda. 
He reminded those of them whom God will give the privilege to be in the new executive council of the need for seriousness and commitment, as it will not be a time for jokes or play. 
His words, “It is difficult for me to say goodbye, but it is indeed like we were told this morning during the exhortation that when it is 12pm, it is also 12am. So as much as I want to say goodnight, I will also say good morning because I am welcoming you to another chapter.
“We, at the beginning of this journey, 20 months ago, started on a joyous note. We have decided to make the end celebratory and joyous as well.
“They have done extremely well, and they have made the ARISE Agenda to succeed, and no man can succeed alone. If we have succeeded as we have, these men and women made us to succeed and we salute you this evening. Thank you very much.
“I am well aware that this may be the very first time this is happening in our State, and this is just my style of showing that we will always work as a team. No man succeeds alone. Everyone has a style, and this is just my own style. I have decided to do otherwise. 
“I thank all the members of the executive council for their service to the state and assure them that though this current service to our state may have come to an end, it may however signal the beginning of other layers of service that they may still be expected to undertake in the service of our State and our people. Let me again thank you most deeply and profoundly for the great service that you have rendered to our State. 
“That we have achieved all that we have been able to notch up to in the last twenty months, tickling and ticking all the critical boxed in the ARISE Agenda and gearing ourselves for more super delivery, going forward, was likely because of the passionate dedication you have shown to the realisation of the vision as captured in our economic and governance blueprint, ARISE Agenda. 
“If you turn to the programme you are holding, you will see projects that we are about to embark on between now and the end of March. We will be flagging off 31 brand new projects for our State. So those of you whom God will give the privilege to be in the executive council must know that it will not be a time for jokes or play.
“Please don’t ask anyone to contact me. My phone lines are switched off already and they will remain switched off until the names will be sent to the House of Assembly next week. Don’t contact me. The surest way to make anyone fail is to send me any name. 
“To appoint people into the executive council of government is the sole prerogative of the governor. They are his first eleven, and he will take responsibility for bringing them on board, and their loyalty will be to him, and to him alone. So if you want anybody not to make it to executive council, the surest way to do it is to send the name of the person. 
“I have heard speculations of those that have already made the list, thank you for making them fail. I can assure this audience that I have not penciled down a name. So I don’t know where they saw the name”.