Akwa Ibom Governor Udom Emmanuel, Monday, January 4, swore in commissioners and special advisers confirmed by the state House of Assembly weeks ago.
Later, Dr. Emmanuel Ekuwem, the Secretary to the State Government issued a press release assigning and re-assigning portfolios to the commissioners and special advisers in the state.
In the minor cabinet reshuffle, Uwemedimo Nwoko, the state Attorney-general and Commissioner for Justice has been dropped.
In his place, Uko Essien Udom, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) has been sworn in and assigned as the new state Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice.
In an interview with Straightnews on Monday, January 4, Nwoko bared his mind, telling reasons the Governor kept him on the job for six unbroken years.
Nwoko who had served in the same position under Chief now Senator Godswill Akpabio administration for a few years had served Udom administration since 2015.
“I give God the glory for His amazing love in keeping me in the post for six years. I must profusely thank Governor Udom Emmanuel for loving and keeping me in the position for those years.
Nwoko said “The Governor contributed immensely to ensuring me I attained the highest positions in the law profession in the state and in the country.
“I am the first Akwa Ibom person to become a Life Bencher. I was conferred with Senior Advocate of Nigeria in December last year. In fact, I have become everything I needed in law profession.
He recalled “In 2015, I discovered that Akwa Ibom has not produced a Life Bencher since its inception. To become one, Attorney-General or Chief Judge must remain in the office for five unbroken years.
“I had to tell the Governor about this. He assured me ‘if you are loyal’ I will keep you to become one. If you work well, I will keep you to attain the height.
According to him, “In 2019, we navigated through turbulent political path. He would have dropped me, but he kept me. Today, I have attained the heights. That was why he kept me.
“What the governor did was capacity building. We reached an understanding and he respected it. I thank the governor for the gesture. I promised to stand by him and to deplore my full capacity in contributing to the success of his administration.
“For Akwa Ibom, I want you to cooperate with him and divorce yourselves from all political and religious sentiments. He means well for the state,” he added.
