Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has sent a strong message to members of his cabinet: abandon your duties, and you’ll be shown the way out.
In a public interview on Saturday, Governor Eno expressed his displeasure over the growing attitude of indolence and disrespect from some commissioners and special advisers, warning that he will not hesitate to fire anyone who fails to take their responsibilities seriously.
“If you leave your duty post, be prepared to receive a red card,” the governor said sternly. “From now on, once you hear that I’ve fired a commissioner, it’s for insubordination.”
His remarks followed a recent incident where he attended an official function, then made an unscheduled stop at another event—only to find that several key cabinet members had failed to follow him. This, he said, was unacceptable behavior from individuals who swore to serve the people full-time.
“You accepted this job. It’s not part-time. I may not always announce where I’m going, but if I go, you go with me. You take me back to the Lodge,” he said. “Don’t mistake my simplicity for weakness—I was elected, not appointed.”
Governor Eno criticised those justifying their absence with claims of inadequate funding, noting that some had been using the local slogan “Mkpo Ibaha” (meaning “There’s nothing in government”) to excuse their lack of performance.
“I was once a commissioner, and I never left my governor behind,” he added. “If anyone feels the work is too much or the office isn’t well-funded, they’re free to resign. But if they stay and fail to do their job, they will go—plain and simple.”
He described his cabinet members as his “first eleven,” saying they must show full dedication to the state’s development and the ARISE Agenda of his administration.
