In what is akin to demanding a torso, Onna stakeholders have demanded immediate resignation of their kinsman, Akparawa Ephraim Inyang-Eyen, Chief of Staff to the Akwa Ibom Governor.
In a viral video, Inyang-eyen who visited Onna royal fathers on a consultation to vie for a senatorial seat in Akwa Ibom South Senatorial District told them the Governor who serves as the Chairman of Finance and General Purposes Committee (FGPC) is the one who approves payments to contractors while the state Accountant-General pays the money into contractors’ account while his ministry (as a Commissioner for Works then) processed documents for payment.
Both Udom Emmanuel, the Akwa Ibom governor and Pastor Uwem Andrew-Essien, the Accountant-General, are indigenes of Onna Local Government Area in Akwa Ibom State.
A communiqué, dated February 20 and endorsed by 30 Onna stakeholders, said ”We have read stories and watched viral videos circulating in the social media, showing Mr. Ephraim Inyang-Eyen, the Chief of Staff, COS, to the Governor of Akwa Ibom State making malicious accusations, misleading comments, and patently false statements against the person and office of the Governor of Akwa Ibom State.
”While addressing a section of ONNA people, in one of the videos, Mr. Inyang-Eyen can be clearly heard maligning the Governor in particular and the Government in general, in a futile attempt to clumsily explain away his tenure as the Commissioner for Works, a position he held for almost six years. He also made several other mundane, and ludicrous remarks then threw invectives at the Governor in a meeting about his long-shot bid for the Eket Senatorial seat,’’ they said.
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Uncomfortable with the statement, the Onna members (State Executive Council), Rt. Hon. Patrick Ifon, Rt. Hon. Nse Essien and Rt. Hon. Owoidighe Ekpoattai , among others, noted ”For quite some time, we have been concerned that Mr. Inyang-Eyen has practically abandoned his duties as the COS to run errands for a gubernatorial aspirant.
”We are shocked that the COS to the Governor, does not attend most state events, and when he manages to attend one, he comes in late, with his retinue of security guards, causing major distractions and displaying shameless lack of respect for protocols.
”This audacious and shocking behaviour came to an embarrassing climax recently, at a function when the Governor publicly rebuked him by asking whether he’s still a member of his cabinet and performing and responsibilities of the Chief of Staff.
”Mr. Inyang-eyen should have learned by now that serving in a government as an appointee of the Governor is a different ball game; it demands civility and the highest level of loyalty and circumspection.
”While Mr. Inyang-Eyen has the right to aspire for any political office, he is not entitled to insulting and deliberately manufacturing falsehood against the Governor and the Government while still in the employ of the State. Enough!”
According to them, ”We recall his crisis-ridden and turbulent tenure as the Commissioner of Works and the resulting image and public relations nightmare his indiscretions and rascality had created for the government. That Ministry today is performing optimally without noise and unnecessary braggadocio. Projects are being expeditiously completed.
”Even at his present position as the COS, a role that is supposed to be strategic and crucial to the Governor’s Completion Agenda, his performance, or more appropriately, the lack of it, is riddled with controversy and avoidable inter-personal relationship issues.
Then the stakeholders demanded ”That Mr. Ephraim Inyang-Eyen is an embarrassment to ONNA people who are known to be respectful to constituted authority and dedicated in service.
Moreover, they resolved ”That Mr. Inyang-eyen must tender a public apology to the Governor, the Government of Akwa Ibom State, and indeed the ONNA people. He must also circulate the said apology across the media platforms.
”That Mr. Inyang-eyen should immediately resign his appointment given his decidedly disloyal actions.
”That failure to heed these perfectly simple demands, we will be left with no other option than to petition the Governor for his immediate sack.
”That we hereby re-affirm our absolute loyalty and confidence in the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, our Son, His Excellency, Mr. Udom Emmanuel.
”That we re-affirm totally our support for the Governor’s Completion Agenda, including the support the preferred aspirant, Pastor Umo Eno, in the forthcoming Gubernatorial primaries and the 2023 general elections,” the stakeholders added.
Inyang-eyen is yet to respond to their demand.
