The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Akwa Ibom State has strongly criticized Governor Umo Eno over his newly released list of 27 commissioner nominees and special advisers, alleging that the appointments were driven by political patronage rather than merit.
The party, in a scathing statement issued in Uyo on Tuesday, accused the governor of recycling ineffective politicians who had previously failed in their official capacities. The APC’s Media Network Chairman, Iniobong John, described the appointments as “a second chance for failure,” arguing that the selection process disregarded competence and was instead influenced by political considerations.
APC Condemns Recycling of Politicians
Governor Eno had earlier submitted the list to the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, urging lawmakers to give it swift approval. However, the opposition party wasted no time in expressing its dissatisfaction, claiming that the list was dominated by politicians with questionable track records.
“Former National Assembly members, ex-council chairmen, former House of Assembly members, and past commissioners—many of whom failed woefully in previous assignments—have now been refurbished and given another opportunity to fail,” the APC’s statement read.
The party questioned how some nominees were able to make the list, given their previous performances in government. It argued that the inclusion of certain individuals contradicted the governor’s much-publicized “Peace Sustenance” agenda, citing allegations of political violence and divisive rhetoric associated with some appointees.
Oro Federal Constituency Allegedly Marginalized
Beyond concerns about competence, the APC also accused Governor Eno of sidelining certain regions in his appointments. The party specifically pointed to what it called the marginalization of the Oro Federal Constituency, which, despite consisting of five local government areas, was only allotted two commissioner slots. This, the party claimed, was in stark contrast to Eket Local Government Area, which had two nominees despite its smaller size.
“This glaring imbalance raises questions about fairness and equity in the distribution of government positions,” the statement read. “How can five local government areas have the same representation as just one? The people of Oro deserve better.”
Ex-Governor Udom Emmanuel’s Alleged Influence
The APC further alleged that former Governor Udom Emmanuel still wields significant influence over the current administration, arguing that the commissioner list reflects a continuation of his political agenda rather than a fresh approach to governance.
“There is growing concern that the people’s aspirations for transparency, accountability, and a break from the past are being undermined,” the party said. “This list does not represent the kind of leadership Akwa Ibom people hoped for under Governor Eno.”
While acknowledging that a few appointees from academia and the health sector were included in the list, the APC insisted that the vast majority were politicians who had failed to earn the trust of the people in previous roles.
“One would have thought that after serving out their tenures, these individuals would quietly return home rather than further infuriate the populace by seeking reappointment. Instead, they have returned with aplomb to fail us once again,” the statement said.
Call for Merit-Based Governance
The APC urged Governor Eno to rethink his approach to governance by prioritizing merit over political considerations. The party argued that the people of Akwa Ibom deserved leaders who could deliver tangible results rather than individuals who merely owed their positions to political connections.
“As the opposition, we will continue to advocate for good governance, economic development, and security in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda,” the party declared. “We will not sit back and watch as political compensation takes precedence over competence.”
Governor Umo Eno has yet to officially respond to the APC’s allegations, but political observers believe the controversy over the commissioner list could deepen existing tensions within the state’s political landscape.
