Local News

 Councillors Pass Vote of Confidence on Gov Umo Eno

 

Reaffirm support for Tinubu, Akpabio  Umo's 2027 re-election bid 

Seek End to Victimisation By LG Chairmen, Inibehe Umah Alleged Assault on Ini Councillors

 

Accuse ALGON of Sabotaging Governance At Grassroot   

           

By Emmanuel Ufon 

Elected Councillors from the 31 Local Government Areas of Akwa Ibom State, under the umbrella of the Akwa Ibom State Councillors' Forum (AKSCF), have unanimously passed a Vote of Confidence on Governor Umo Eno, praising his visionary, people-centred and inclusive leadership while appealing to him to urgently intervene in what they described as the growing victimisation of councillors by some Local Government Chairmen.

The resolutions were contained in a communiqué issued at the end of the maiden general meeting of the Forum held on Monday, July 6, 2026.

The Forum commended Governor Eno for his commitment to grassroots development, strengthening Local Government administration and advancing democratic governance in the State. The councillors also congratulated the Governor on his emergence as the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the 2027 governorship election and lauded his administration for acquiring brand-new CNG buses to improve transportation across the State.

As part of the resolutions, the Forum unanimously passed a Vote of Confidence on the Governor, reaffirming its total loyalty and commitment to mobilising grassroots support for his re-election in 2027.

The councillors equally reaffirmed their total support for the President of the Senate, Distinguished Senator Godswill Obot Akpabio, CON, and the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, pledging to deploy their structures across wards and Local Government Areas to ensure their successful re-election in 2027.

While expressing appreciation to Governor Eno for his support to Local Government Councils, the Forum raised concerns over what it described as the persistent neglect, intimidation and exclusion of elected councillors from governance processes by several Local Government Chairmen across the State.

The communiqué noted that findings from the recent oversight exercise conducted by the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs exposed administrative shortcomings in several councils, adding that such developments undermine the Governor's vision for effective grassroots governance.

The councillors further expressed concern over reports that legislators demanding accountability had, in some Local Government Areas, been subjected to intimidation, blackmail and physical attacks.

The Forum specifically cited Ini Local Government Area, alleging that individuals acting on the instructions of the Local Government Chairman physically assaulted councillors who sought accountability.

According to the communiqué, such actions erode democratic values, weaken legislative oversight and diminish public confidence in local governance.

The Forum also appealed to Governor Eno to direct all Local Government Chairmen to immediately discontinue every form of victimisation against councillors under what it described as the "ALGON Template," arguing that the arrangement has weakened legislative independence and hindered effective representation at the grassroots.

The councillors further requested the implementation of approvals granted on December 16, 2025, including the upward review of councillors' imprest, security votes, overseas training for legislative leaders and constituency project funding.

They also called for a review of the Akwa Ibom State Local Government Administration Law, 2017, to strengthen legislative institutions and provide clear legal backing for constituency projects.

On constituency projects, the Forum maintained that such projects should remain the exclusive responsibility of elected legislators, insisting that any arrangement allowing ALGON to execute the projects while remitting only token sums to councillors undermines their constitutional responsibilities.

Other requests contained in the communiqué included the provision of official vehicles for councillors, improved welfare packages and better working conditions to enhance effective legislative, oversight and representative functions.

The Forum stressed that its communiqué should not be viewed as a confrontation but as a patriotic appeal aimed at strengthening grassroots democracy, improving Local Government administration and supporting Governor Eno's development agenda.

Earlier in his welcome address, the Chairman of the Akwa Ibom State Councillors' Forum and Leader of Ikot Abasi Legislative Council, Hon. Imo Moses, described the maiden meeting as a historic milestone, noting that it was the first time elected councillors from all 31 Local Government Areas had assembled under one platform to deliberate on issues affecting legislative governance, councillors' welfare and grassroots development.

He explained that the Forum was established to promote collaboration, legislative capacity building, transparency, accountability and effective representation, rather than create conflict with any arm of government.

The communiqué was read by the Chairman of the Forum and Leader of Ikot Abasi Legislative Council, Hon. Imo Moses.

A motion for its adoption was moved by Hon. Owoidoho Etukudo Enyiema, Councillor representing Asutan Ward 6 in Ibesikpo Asutan Local Government Council, and seconded by Hon. Godwin Nyong, Deputy Leader of the Oron Legislative Council.

The communiqué was thereafter unanimously adopted and signed by all councillors present at the meeting.

Goodwill messages were presented by several stakeholders, including the Leader of Itu Legislative Council, Hon. Godswill Jeremiah, while the vote of thanks was delivered by the Leader of Ini Legislative Council, Hon. Donald Usoroh.