‘Any name you send won’t make the list’; Gov Eno warns ‘stakeholders’ over commissioner-nominees
Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State has dismissed a list of new commissioner-nominees and other appointees in circulation as fake, adding that those in said list have failed already.
However, he said next week he will submit the authentic list to Akwa Ibom State House Assembly for clearance to reconstitute a fresh state executive council.
Recall that Governor Eno dismissed his foundation cabinet 20 months after assuming office.
Speaking at a farewell dinner for the sacked cabinet Friday night in Uyo, Eno stressed that anyone desperate to make the new cabinet, who has pushed persons of influence to recommend him for consideration, has lost his chance of being chosen.
At the Friday valedictory cabinet meeting, the outgone exco members had themselves moved and unanimously supported the motion for dissolution of the cabinet.
The governor sealing their disengagement by dropping the gavel.
‘Don’t pick for me’
Eno harped on his prerogative to pick his new cabinet.
He warned stakeholders: “Please, don’t ask anybody to contact me. My phone lines are switched off already, and they will remain switched off until 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 EXCO of government is the sole prerogative of the governor.
“There’s first 11 and he (governor) takes responsibility for bringing them on board.
“And their loyalty will be to him and to him alone. If you want anybody not to make it to the EXCO, the surest way is to send the name of the person.
“I have read 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, I don’t know where they saw the name. The only person I would have probably whispered to would have been my wife but she is in Heaven.”
Projects
On the task ahead and expectations on the incoming cabinet, the Governor stated, “At the end of March we will be flagging off of 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 joke. It will not be a time for play.”
On finding the courage to dismiss the foundation cabinet, the governor explained, “This is a clear emotional moment for me. How do I say goodbye to friends and colleagues who have worked with me through the days of our campaigns, all through the elections and 20 months after it is difficult for me to say goodbye.
“As I want to say good night, I will also say good morning, because I am welcoming you to another chapter.
“As the beginning of this journey months ago started on a joyous note, we have decided to make the end a celebratory and joyous occasion as well.
“They’ve served the state diligently, they’ve done extremely well. They made the ARISE Agenda to succeed, and no man can succeed alone. And if we succeeded, which we have, these men and women made us to succeed.
“You are not sacked, you are simply being celebrated and prepared for the next assignment for our state and indeed our nation.
“You will always be my colleagues. And we’ll all continue to work together in the interest of our party and in the interest of our state.
“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 people.
“I know that God has another phase for you which maybe unfolding soon. I wish you well in whatever new plans God may have in store for you, but remember our doors will always be open and we will always treat you as one of us.”
Vanguard News
