By Abiola Olawale
Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State has submitted a list of 27 nominees to the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly for Screening and confirmation as Commissioners and Special Advisers.
Among those nominated is eminent media professional and former House of Representatives member, Rt Hon Aniekan Umanah. Umanah has also served as Honorable Commissioner for Information in Akwa Ibom State in the past under a PDP government.
This development came after the dissolution of the previous State Executive Council on January 10, 2025.
The governor, in a letter addressed to the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, said the nomination is in line with Section 192(2) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).
The New Diplomat reports that the lists also
includes returning commissioners from the previous administration under former Governor Udom Emmanuel, such as:
Linus Nkan (Finance), Ini Ememobong (Information and Strategy), Frank Archibong (Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs), Prof. Eno Ibanga (Works and Fire Service), Uko Essien Udom, SAN (Justice).
New nominees include individuals like:
Nsikak Ekong (former House of Representatives member from Ikot Ekpene LGA), Anietie Udofia (Uyo LGA), Ubong Essien (Nsit Ibom LGA).
Some former commissioners, such as Ini Adiakpan (Women’s Affairs) and Monday Ukoh (Sports), are not returning.
It would be recalled that Eno inherited most of the commissioners from his predecessor, the immediate past governor of Akwa Ibom State, Udom Emmanuel, except for General Koko Essien (retd.), who was appointed to head the newly created Ministry of Internal Security.
The dissolution of the previous council was announced during a valedictory dinner on January 10, 2025, where Governor Eno thanked the outgoing members for their service.
The full list of the nominees are:
– *Etinan*: Uko Essien Udom, SAN
– *Eket*: Mr. Paul Bassey
– *Ibesikpo Asutan*: Dr. Nsikak Linus Nkan
– *Onna*: Mr. Bob Almond
– *Nsit Ubium*: Capt. IniObong Ekong
– *Ibeno*: Hon. Ikoedem Ekong
– *Essien Udim*: Dr. Anthony Luke
– *Urie Offong/Oruko*: Dr. Offiong Samuel Okwong
– *Esit Eket*: Rt. Hon. Iniobong Robson
– *Itu*: Dr. Henry Archibong
– *Ikot Ekpene*: Rt. Hon. Nsikak Ekong
– *Ibiono*: Comrade Ini Ememobong Essien
– *Mkpat Enin*: Prof. Eno Ibanga
– *Eket*: Hon. Frank Archibong
– *Oruk Anam*: Dr. Emmanuel John Ekem
– *Ika*: Mrs. Inibehe Silas Etukudo
– *Nsit Ibom*: Prof. Ubong Essien
– *Abak*: Rt. Hon. Aniekan Umanah
– *Ukanafun*: Dr. Frank Ekpenyong
– *Okobo*: Hon. Ubuo Effiong Ubuo
– *Ikono*: Dr. Ubong Inyang
– *Uruan*: Gen. Koko Essien Rtd
– *Nsit Atai*: Princess Emem Ibanga
– *Uyo*: Dr. Anietie Udofia
– *Ikot Abasi*: Barr. Kufre Udosen
– *Etim Ekpo*: Dr. Ekanem Ekerette
– *Mbo*: Rt. Hon. Alice Ekpenyon
