…Clears ₦75.2bn Gratuity Backlog, Warns Against Internal Sabotage
Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, on Tuesday swore in Mrs. Elsie Anietie Peters as the seventh Head of the Civil Service, issuing a stern warning to political appointees and senior officials that his administration will no longer tolerate acts of disloyalty.
Speaking at the ceremony held in the Banquet Hall of Government House, Uyo, the Governor described Mrs. Peters— the fourth woman to hold the position— as a seasoned technocrat whose appointment reflects merit, competence, and the administration’s drive for a more disciplined civil service.
But Governor Eno used the event to caution appointees against undermining the administration from within, stressing that those who cannot align with government policies should resign rather than “rock the boat.”
“Everybody will not agree with us, and that is understood,” he said.
“But what we will not tolerate is for people in government to work against the government. Every action has a consequence. If you cannot stand with us, quietly leave. We will not tolerate sabotage.”
The warning follows recent sackings of two aides over alleged acts of disloyalty to the administration and its emerging political structure.
Citing biblical references from 1 Corinthians 4:2, Matthew 6:24 and Amos 3:3, Eno said loyalty remains the irreducible standard for public service, adding that peace should never be mistaken for weakness.
“There are people who eat at the king’s table yet work against the king. That era is over,” the Governor declared.
“Meekness is not weakness. I was elected by the people of Akwa Ibom, and I will defend their mandate until my last day in office.”
On workers’ welfare, Governor Eno announced that his administration has cleared ₦75.2 billion of the ₦110 billion gratuity arrears inherited from 2012 to May 2023. He revealed that ₦1.3 billion was paid this month alone, with arrears up to March 2021 fully settled.
He said only outstanding payments for 2022 and 2023 remain before the government begins clearing liabilities accumulated under his tenure.
Eno thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for financial support that has enabled the state to meet its obligations and accelerate key development projects.
He also praised the immediate past Head of Service, Elder Effiong Essien, for aligning the civil service with the ARISE Agenda and advancing a leaner, digital-driven public service structure.
