Emmanuel sacks his CoS, Ephraim Inyang-eyen

Ini Billie, Uyo

The Akwa Ibom State Governor, Mr Udom Emmanuel has sacked his Chief of Staff, Akparawa Ephraim Inyang-eyen with immediate effect.

The announcement which was made through a press release signed on Tuesday in Uyo by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Emmanuel Ekuwem, said the government needed someone with competence to maintain the spate of economic development in peace.

“On behalf of His Excellency, the Governor, government and the good people of Akwa Ibom State, I write to convey to you His Excellency, the Governor’s profound appreciation of the worthy contributions you made to the development of our dear State while you served as Chief of Staff to the Governor.

“However, given the urgent need to match skill set and competencies to the task of maintaining the momentum of economic development in peace, your services are no longer required and you are hereby relieved of your position, as Chief of Staff (CoS) to His Excellency, the Governor with immediate effect.

“You have therefore directed to handover all property of government in your possession, to the Secretary to State Government,” the SSG stated.

However, the sack is not unconnected to Akparawa Ephraim Inyang-eyen’s indictment of Governor Udom Emmanuel and the State Accountant-General over some abandoned road projects in his community.

Inyang-eyen who declared his intention to represent Akwa Ibom South Senatorial District in the National Assembly in the 2023 elections at the weekend to his community, had exonerated himself as Commissioner of Works from blame over the uncompleted projects.

He alluded that Governor Emmanuel was responsible for signing the request for funds for the projects as approved by the State Accountant-General, saying their failure to do so stalled the projects.

His position has led to calls for his sack from youths and People’s Democratic Party (PDP) stakeholders in Onna local government area and counter calls from his supporters like the Paramount Ruler of Onna who claimed Inyang-eyen has done no wrong in explaining the reason for the stalled projects.

Inyaneyen who was Commissioner for Works before he became the COS to the governor is one of Governor Emmanuel’s close ally at logger heads with him over his choice of Umo Eno as his successor.