Governor Udom sacks 2 commissioners who welcomed Senator to Akwa Ibom

Akwa Ibom State governor, Udom Emmanuel, has sacked two commissioners from his cabinet after they joined the welcome party that received Senator Godswill Akpabio (Akwa Ibom North West - PDP) at the airport in Uyo on Tuesday, August 7, 2018.

Akpabio, a former governor, arrived at the state capital on Tuesday ahead of his official defection to the ruling All Progressives' Congress (APC) slated to take place on Wednesday, August 8.

The Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Victor Antai and the Commissioner for Labour, Productivity and Manpower Planning, Ibanga Akpabio, received the lawmaker at the Akwa Ibom International Airport yesterday with hundreds of other supporters.

In a statement signed by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Emmanuel Ekuwem, Governor Udom sacked the two commissioners for their "reluctance to comply with good governance processes" of his administration.

The state's Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Charles Udoh, said they had to be removed due to alleged gross misconduct and non-compliance with public service rules. They were both directed to hand over their ministries to their Permanent Secretaries before the close of business on Wednesday.

Akpabio defects due to Udom rift

Akpabio's defection from the People's Democratic Party (PDP) has been widely reported to be as a result of political differences with Emmanuel.

Ahead of his defection, he's held meetings with President Muhammadu Buhari, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, and APC national leader, Bola Tinubu, within the past six days.