Gov Eno can nominate commissioners of his choice – Richard Peters replies critics

A public affairs analyst in Akwa Ibom State, Richard Peters, has said Governor Umo Eno has an exclusive right to appoint commissioners, special assistants or any other aide of his choice to work in his government.

He added that attacking the governor based on the list of appointees sent to the State House of Assembly is unfair.

Some people in Akwa Ibom have expressed reservations over the list of commissioners and special adviser nominees, which contained 100 per cent of the commissioners and special advisers of his predecessor, Udom Emmanuel. They lamented that there was no fresh hand; therefore, nothing new or strategic would come out of the administration.

But Peters, in a live radio program monitored by our correspondent in Uyo on Friday, said the governor has the right to appoint whoever he wishes, especially people he believes can internalize his blueprint and would be able to interpret it in different ministries.

He also pointed out that Eno was part of the State Executive Council of the last administration and had worked with all the nominees and knew their capacity; therefore, he would be more comfortable and familiar with working with them.

He said, “People should rate performance, give them a chance to work, and if they do not perform, that is when people can criticise them.

“Besides, the governor has the right to appoint whoever he wishes to serve under him, especially people he believes can internalize his blueprint. You know, these are the people that would interpret his blueprint at different ministries, I think he found them worthy and believe they have internalized the ARISE agenda, so I don’t know why people are unnecessarily angry over the commissioner nominees.

“Apart from that, those people were beside the governor during the campaigns, and they understood his body language. The argument of who should be and who should not be does not hold water. They have called out the governor that he shouldn’t return all commissioners that served under Udom Emmanuel’s administration. It is within the right of the governor. As far as he is convinced that they can deliver on his mandate, why not?”