Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, has dismissed suggestions that his political aides earn meagre wages, clarifying that his Personal Assistants (PAs), the lowest-ranking among his numerous appointees receive not less than ₦1 million each month.
He made the disclosure on Saturday during a Town Square Meeting with the people of Ikono and Ini Federal Constituency at Ibiaku Ntok Okpo, where he elevated his PA on Protocol, Blessed Essien, to the position of Special Assistant (SA) on Public Works.
The promotion, he explained, was in recognition of Essien’s contribution to his community, having funded a borehole project from his salary.
“As I arrived, I was handed a brochure by a PA who, from what some call ‘a token’, constructed a borehole for his community and replicated it in the village,” the governor said.
He criticised certain appointees for downplaying their earnings: “Some are still deceiving their people, claiming the governor has done nothing. You cannot call a PA to the governor of a state ‘ordinary’. Hear me well, no PA earns less than a million naira. And when they want to talk, they call it a stipend. One million naira is not a stipend to me – it is serious money.”
Governor Eno further instructed the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) to compile and publish in newspapers the full list of political appointees, categorised by local government area. He also urged citizens to hold public officials accountable: “Call your PAs, your SAs, SSAs, even your Commissioner, and ask them – what have you done?”
Turning to Essien, he announced: “Today, you are promoted from PA to SA (to the Governor) on Public Works.”
His remarks came as the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) confirmed ongoing deliberations on a salary review for political and elected office holders, which may grant significant pay rises to the President, Vice President, governors, and other top officials.
