Ahead of 7th June 2024 expiration date of the current tenure of Local Government Transition Committee, the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly (AKHA) has mandated its Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs to assess their performances before granting tenure extension to the sitting officials.
This is in response to a request for tenure extension of Local Government Transition Committees forwarded to the House of Assembly by Governor Umo Eno.
Governor Eno’s request addressed to the Speaker was read by the Clerk of the Assembly, Mrs NsikakAbasi Orok during Thursday’s plenary.
Governor Eno, in his letter, said the request for tenure extension became necessary pending when the Akwa Ibom State Independent Electoral Commission would conduct Local Government Election in the State.
Governor Eno’s message was received through a motion by Rt. Hon. Asuquo Nana Udo, the member representing Ikono State Constituency, seconded by Rt. Hon. Mfon Idung, the member representing Etim Ekpo/Ika State Constituency.
The governor had requested that the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly pass a resolution to extend the tenure of the Transition Committees in the 31 local government areas (LGAs) to provide the Akwa Ibom State Independent Electoral Commission (AKISIEC) with sufficient time to prepare for the upcoming local government elections in the state.
The Speaker of the Assembly, Rt. Hon. (Elder) Udeme Otong, while Presiding over the session, stated that it would be necessary for the House to first carry out an inspection of the activities of the local government councils, since there are currently no elected councilors to perform this function.