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Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State has clarified that the recently granted autonomy to local governments does not imply that council chairmen are running entities separate from the state government. Speaking after the official inauguration of the 31 newly elected local government chairmen on Monday, Eno cautioned against misinterpreting the concept of autonomy, emphasizing that governance at all levels remains interconnected.
Governor Eno explained that while the chairmen will now receive funds directly as part of their financial autonomy, they must recognize the shared responsibilities with the state government, particularly regarding the welfare of teachers and other critical services. He stressed that “there is no autonomy in governance” in the sense that no tier of government can operate in isolation.
“Each of you is now autonomous in your financial dealings, which means you will receive your funds directly. But remember, we have shared responsibilities, and those shared responsibilities must be carefully thought out,” Eno remarked. He urged the newly inaugurated chairmen to align their actions and policies with the state’s ARISE Agenda, which serves as the governance blueprint for Akwa Ibom.
Governor Eno reiterated his earlier stance that local government chairmen must reside in their respective council areas as the chief security officers of their jurisdictions, warning against absentee leadership. He emphasized that autonomy means chairmen should stay and manage their “autonomous communities.”
Eno also praised the Akwa Ibom Independent Electoral Commission (AKISIEC) and its chairman, Elder Aniedi Ikoiwak, for conducting a free and fair election that produced winners from across party lines. He further congratulated the newly elected officials and highlighted the significance of women’s integration into leadership positions.
