By Rismadarvioce, 18 November 2025
Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, on Tuesday issued a firm warning to political appointees and government officials against disloyalty, declaring that no one can remain in government while working against the very administration they serve.
Speaking at the Banquet Hall, Government House, Uyo, during the swearing in of Mrs. Elsie Anietie Peters as Head of Civil Service, the Governor said his administration would no longer tolerate acts of sabotage.
“Everybody will not agree with us, and that is understood and allowed. But what we will not tolerate is for people to believe that they can be in government and be working against the government. Every action carries a consequence. Either you quietly leave and we will gladly receive your resignation than stay inside and rock the boat. We will not tolerate it.” He cautioned.
The warning comes barely 24 hours after two of his aides were sacked over alleged acts of disloyalty.
Governor Eno anchored his emphasis on loyalty on biblical principles, noting that stewardship demands commitment, not convenience.
Quoting 1 Corinthians 4:2, he reminded political actors that “it is required in stewards that a man be found faithful.”
He further referenced Matthew 6:24 (“No man can serve two masters”) and Amos 3:3 (“Can two walk together except they agree?”), insisting that divided allegiance has no place in the service of the people.
“There are people who eat at the table of the king, yet work against the same king. That era is over,” he declared.
While reiterating that his administration prioritizes peace, Governor Eno warned that such peace should not be mistaken for weakness.
“Those who think they can try our resolve should rethink. Meekness is not weakness. I got this job on the mandate of Akwa Ibom people, and I will discharge it till the very last day,” the Governor said.
Reaffirming his administration’s commitment to workers’ welfare, Governor Eno disclosed that he inherited ₦110 billion in gratuity arrears covering 2012 to May 2023.
Of the amount, he said his government has cleared ₦75.2 billion in just two and a half years.
“This month alone, I released another ₦1.3 billion. We have cleared arrears from 2012 to March 2021. Only 2022 and 2023 remain before we begin offsetting arrears from our own tenure,” he explained.
The Governor praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for supporting the State with funds for capital and recurrent obligations, saying such interventions have driven ongoing development efforts.
The Governor congratulated Mrs. Elsie Anietie Peters, describing her as the seventh Head of Civil Service and the fourth woman to occupy the position in the State.
He praised the immediate past Head of Civil Service, Elder Effiong Essien, for steering reforms that align the civil service with the administration’s ARISE Agenda, particularly efforts to build a lean, professional and ICT-driven workforce.
