Akwa Ibom Governor Eno revokes land allocations, sacks adviser

Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State has carried out sweeping changes in the Ministry of Lands and Town Planning, raising eyebrows about irregularities in land administration since his assumption of office.

In a move announced on Monday, August 25, the governor sacked his Special Adviser on Land Matters, redeployed the Commissioner for Lands and Town Planning, and revoked all land allocations made to both individuals and corporate organisations since May 29, 2023.

According to the government’s statement, the revocation also covers lands acquired by the state government, underscoring the seriousness of the administration’s decision.

“Over this period of transition, all fresh allocations of government lands and transactions on government land stand suspended for a period of one month, during which period the Directorate of Lands shall be shut,” the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Uko Udom, said in the first statement.

The state government said the revalidation would last for two months, and would be done by the Geographic and Information System Office.

Mr Udom’s statement was followed by that of the Secretary to the State Government, Enobong Uwah, announcing a cabinet reshuffle – swapping the Commissioner for Lands and Town Planning, Iniobong Ekong, with the Commissioner for Trade and Investment, Ubong Inyang.

“This minor reshuffle takes immediate effect,” Mr Uwah said.

Mr Uwah, in a separate statement, said Mr Eno has sacked his Senior Special Assistant on Land Matters, Udeme Isa.

The redeployed commissioner, Mr Ekong, a retired captain in the Nigerian Army, hails from the same Nsit Ubium Local Government Area as the governor.

Mr Ekong previously served as security adviser to former Governors Godswill Akpabio and Udom Emmanuel.

Governor Emmanuel appointed him as the Commissioner for Lands and Water Resources, replacing Mr Eno, who resigned to contest the 2023 governorship election under the PDP.

After becoming governor, Mr Eno retained Mr Ekong as the commissioner in the ministry until his redeployment today, 25 August.

Mr Ekong is well-respected among the political class in Akwa Ibom. He is considered to be among the closest politicians to the governor.