PRESS RELEASE:
The attention of the Office of the Chief Press Secretary to the Honourable Speaker has been drawn to misinformation and personal attacks on the Speaker of Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Rt.Hon.(Elder) Udeme Otong. We feel compelled to set the record straight.
As Speaker, Rt.Hon.(Elder) Udeme Otong does not possess the constitutional power to appoint Commissioners or Special Advisers. Instead, he and the Legislature receive nominees from the Governor, screen, and recommend them for appointment.
It is worth noting that the Executive Governor, His Excellency Pastor Umo Bassey Eno, PhD, reserves the prerogative to nominate and appoint members to the State Executive Council.
Recall, during a thanksgiving service of the Nigeria Union of Journalists ( NUJ ) Akwa Ibom State Council on January 19, 2025, Governor Eno stated his intention to appoint individuals who will help interpret his ARISE Agenda, hence the Governor has the sole powers to appoint whoever he deems fit for such position.
Rt.Hon.(Elder) Udeme Otong is committed to his primary assignment as Speaker of the 8th Assembly, a job that he is doing excellently well. He is much more concerned about stabilizing the polity and will not be coerced into unnecessary political scheming that may cause disaffection in the state.
We urge the public to disregard the personal attacks on the Speaker. He remains committed to promoting fairness, peace, merit and supporting the full actualisation of the Governor's Arise Agenda through effective legislation.
Signed:
Elder Emmanuel Ebong,
Chief Press Secretary to the Speaker, Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly (AKHA).
12/02/2025