By Ayomide Otitoju
The Special Adviser to the Governor of Akwa Ibom State on Legislative Affairs, Aniekan Uko, has resigned from his position, citing plans to pursue new political ambitions.
Uko, a former Speaker of the state House of Assembly who represented the Ibesikpo Asutan State Constituency, confirmed his resignation in a letter addressed to Governor Umo Eno.
In the letter, he said his decision was driven by “evolving circumstances” and a desire to focus on future opportunities aligned with his political goals, while expressing appreciation for the opportunity to serve in the administration.
“I am grateful for the experience, and I appreciate the chance to have served… I find it necessary to step down in order to focus on my aspiration,” he wrote, adding that he remains willing to support the administration in other capacities.
Sources suggest Uko’s exit may be linked to plans to contest a higher legislative position at the national level in the House of Representatives.
His resignation comes despite an earlier directive from Governor Eno cautioning political appointees against leaving government positions to pursue elective offices. The governor had also announced what he described as automatic return tickets for current State and National Assembly members as part of a political arrangement tied to the administration’s alignment with the All Progressives Congress (APC) in June 2025.
However, the arrangement was later reversed following objections from aggrieved aspirants, who argued that it undermined internal democracy and voters’ rights.
