Akwa Ibom State Governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel has issued a warning to office seekers and the stakeholders in the state against mounting undue pressure on him for their preferred candidates to make up the appointment list.
He stressed that his choice of Executive members would strictly base on merit and excellence not godfatherism.
Speaking during the swearing in of newly appointed Head of Civil Service and Permanent Secretaries at the Banquet Hall of the Government house, Governor Emmanuel revealed that he would likely retain most members of the immediate past Executive Council because of the numerous projects he needed to complete under their supervision.
According to him, “Like I always say, nobody should send me text to lobby for any candidate because that is the surest route to the disqualification of such a person.”
“Once I receive a name of any director from a stakeholder, it means the person is not qualified and lacks self confidence.
“Don’t come and tell me that this person didn’t work during the election and should be dropped, because everybody worked and they all supported me.
“If you attempt to blackmail anybody, that will even spur me to reappoint that person.
The Governor who charged the newly sworn in Head of the Civil Service, Elder Effiong Edem Essien and Permanent Secretaries, to raise the bar of excellence in the discharge of their responsibilities, also announced that more permanent secretaries would soon be appointed.
He expressed his desire to spread the appointments across the Local Government Areas of the State, but decried the absence of qualified personnel from some Local Governments Areas, an issue he said should be of serious concern to stakeholders in such areas.
While congratulating the new appointees, the Governor expressed optimism in their ability to deliver and further urged them to exhibit a high level of professionalism and tolerance in the discharge of their responsibilities.
He urged the new Head of Civil Service, to maintain a good relationship between the labour unions and government for a robust industrial harmony in the state.
The Governor further used the occasion to appreciate the immediate past Head of Service, Mrs Ekerebong Akpan for her meritorious services to the State and the improvement witnessed in the State’s Civil Service.
The newly inaugurated Head of the State Civil Service, who spoke with Journalists shortly after his swearing in, appreciated Governor Emmanuel for finding him worthy for the appointment and pledged to selflessly discharge his duties in the interest of the state.
