Former Akwa Ibom Speaker Aniekan Uko Resigns as Adviser to Gov Umo En

Aniekan Uko, a former Speaker of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, has resigned his position as Special Adviser on Legislative Affairs to Umo Eno.

In a resignation letter addressed to the governor, Uko said his decision was driven by the need to pursue new political ambitions. He expressed appreciation for the opportunity to serve in the administration, noting that he was stepping down to focus on “future opportunities that align with my goals.”

“I am grateful for the experience and the trust reposed in me,” he wrote, adding that he remains open to supporting the government in other capacities.

Uko, who previously represented Ibesikpo Asutan State Constituency, is widely believed to be positioning for a seat in the House of Representatives, often referred to as the Green Chamber.

His exit comes against the backdrop of earlier directives by Governor Eno cautioning political appointees against leaving their posts to contest elective offices. The governor had initially indicated that incumbent state and National Assembly lawmakers would receive automatic return tickets following their defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in June 2025.

However, the arrangement was later shelved after protests from party aspirants, who argued that such a move undermined internal democracy and the electorate’s right to choose their representatives.

Uko’s resignation signals a renewed wave of political realignments ahead of upcoming electoral contests in the state.