Why Akwa Ibom Deputy Governor Resigned

By Ademola Adeyemo and Okon Bassey

Akwa Ibom State Deputy Governor, Mr. Nsima Ekere, Wednesday resigned from office over some irreconcilable differences with Governor Godswill Akpabio.

Though Ekere did not give any reason for his resignation, THISDAY gathered that it may not be unconnected with the way Akpabio is running the state.

The former deputy governor in his resignation letter dated October 31 and addressed to Akpabio said: “Pursuant to Section 306 (5) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) I kindly notify you of my resignation from the office of the Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom State forthwith on personal grounds.”

But THISDAY gathered that before his resignation, Ekere was first given the option to either resign or face impeachment.

Investigation revealed that the resignation was as a result of a disagreement which erupted during a heated debate at a stakeholders’ meeting convened by the governor.

Others who attended the meeting were the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Hon. Sam Ikon, the Secretary to the State Government, Umana Okon Uman other.

Sources told THISDAY that the meeting, which started on Monday, ended in a stalemate due to the inability of the governor and others to reconcile their differences.

The meeting rescheduled for Tuesday, was said to have forced the deputy governor to open up and express his mind against the position of the governor on issue bordering on the governance of the state.

At the meeting, sources said the Speaker of the state House of Assembly was directed by the governor to resign which the Speaker challenged.

After many of those at the meeting had spoken, the deputy governor was said to have vehemently challenged the governor on why the Speaker should be removed.

The position of the Deputy Speaker was said to have been very embarrassing to the stakeholders and on the spot, Ekere was given the option to either resign or be impeached.

A statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to the governor, Mr. Inem Ina, confirmed the resignation of the deputy governor, saying: “The Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Nsima Ekere, has resigned from office.”

“In a letter of resignation dated Wednesday, October 31, 2012, Mr. Ekere said he was resigning on personal grounds.
“He thanked the governor and the good people of the state for the opportunity given to him to serve the state in the last 17 months.

“Mr. Ekere wished the governor and the people of the state well in the remaining years of the administration,” Ina said.

ThisDay