8 DAYS TO GO- Akpabio relocates from Government House

* holds valedictory EXCO session
* cabinet dissolved

BY EMMANUEL AKPAN

The out-going Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Chief Godswill Akpabio has relocated from the main official residence of the Government House Complex to his private residence in Ukana, Essien Udim Local Government Area, in preparatory to his exit from office in less than 9 days, THE INK can authoritatively report. 

A source within the Government House who pleaded her name not to be mentioned in print, hinted our reporter that Governor Godswill Akpabio and his family moved to their private residence  in Ukana to allow his successor who is the Akwa Ibom Governor-Elect, Deacon Udom Emmamuel have full access to the Governor’s lodge.

Reliable sources within the Government House said Governor Godswill Akpabio and his wife have since last week moved their personal belongings out of the official residence to their Ukana residence in Essien Udim Local Government Area, pending when he will be moving to Abuja for his National Assembly work as the Senator representing Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District at the Senate. According to our Government House source, the movement of Akpabio’s belongings commenced since last week.  

THE INK further gathered that Governor Akpabio is scheduled to conduct the Governor-Elect, Deacon Udom Emmanuel round the complex within the week.
In her words “I can confirm to you that most of the Governor Akpabio’s belongings have been relocated from the Government House. The governor only comes to the State House once in a while. He is now operating from his private.” she said.

In a related development, the governor on Wednesday 20th May, 2015 convened his last State Executive Council (SEC) meeting at the EXCO chambers as well as dissolved his cabinet after his valedictory session with his Commissioners and Special Advisers. He has also approved the dissolution of the entire State cabinet following the expiration of his tenure on May 29.

Governor Godswill Akpabio is said to have dissolved his cabinet after a valedictory session inside the EXCO chambers as part of the activities lined-up to bid farewell to Akwa Ibom people as well as ensure a smooth handing-over to the incoming administration.  

Akpabio is said to have directed all the Commissioners to immediately hand-over t o permanent secretaries of their various ministries to pilot the affairs of government until a new cabinet is constituted by the incoming administration of Deacon Udom Emmanuel.

The governor is said to have used the opportunity to thank all his cabinet members who have contributed one way or the other to ensure a successful administration. He is also said to have thank the good people of Akwa Ibom State for the unwavering support given to him in the past eight years.

THE INK gathered that Governor Akpabio thank his cabinet members who were instrumental to the emergence of his preferred successor, Deacon Udom Emmanuel as the next governor of the State.

He is said to have appeal that the same level of support and cooperation given to him, be extended to the incoming administration of Deacon Udom Emmanuel, adding that no government can succeed without the support of the people.

One of the Commissioners who confided in our reporter shortly after the valedictory session said they had received a letter from the governor thanking them for their service to the state.  The Commissioner who is from Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District further said that in compliance to the directive of the governor, they were expected to hand over the affairs of their ministries to their Permanent Secretaries.

Hear him speak “we are not surprise. All of us have been duly informed. The governor has sent a letter to us who are his Commissioners. The governor thanked us for having served Akwa Ibom State as well as taken the state to this level.” He said.