Government of Akwa Ibom State

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"I did not come into government without having a clear vision as to where I want the state to be. It was a strategy that has been developed over the years, about five years back when I began nursing the ambition to rule a state. People often say that so much money has been pumped into the Niger Delta without any appreciable improvement in the living standard of the people. I do not want to belong to this category of government. That is why I vow to deliver as long as the funding is available."

""I once joked about this but it is a serious matter. Look, have you ever seen Jesus and your life remains the same? That is exactly how I feel about the strong bond between my people and me. I do not want to be a governor that cannot impact positively on the lives of his people. We owe it a responsibility to make the society a better place and leave our footprints on the sands of time. It is a responsibility that I have chosen to take seriously. With God on my side, I will achieve this seeming lofty dream for the betterment of Akwa Ibomites"

We have an excellent relationship with workers in the state. For the first time, I paid workers what can be called the 13th month salary. Thereafter, I paid the 15 per cent increase that has been a problem. I have a partnership with the UNDP and we are sending our workers to the United Kingdom and other parts of the country. We are also training our children in Zaria and other institutions in Aviation and Avionics. We want to make sure we have adequate manpower to run our airport when completed. We are also in partnership with Cipan to train our children. If we are going to have a major LNG company, we don’t want what happened to us in Mobil, where they say we don’t have engineers.

Akwa Ibom State government is comprised of three equal and independent branches, the executive, legislative, and judiciary. The executive branch administers the laws through organs of the executive council, ministries and local government and is overseen by the Governor. The legislative branch makes laws, a responsibility carried out by a 26-member House of Assembly headed by the Speaker. And the judicial branch, headed by the Chief Judge, preserves the rule of law by resolving disputes through the courts.

There are also many forms and levels of local governance in Akwa Ibom State. These include the Local government Councils and the Traditional Councils.

The Executive Branch

The Executive Branch of Akwa Ibom State Government has the Governor, Deputy Governor, and all cabinet members. The Governor is allowed to pass or veto a bill that the legislative sends him. His assent is required for all bills passed by the House of Assembly before they can become law.

The Executive conducts the government, deciding on policy and administering legislation. All important government policy decisions and legislative proposals either come from or are agreed to by cabinet. Cabinet also co-ordinates the activities of commissioners. Cabinet consists of commissioners appointed by the Governor. These commissioners are usually responsible for one or more government departments supervised by Permanent Secretaries.

The Legislative Branch

Akwa Ibom State Legislatives have a chamber called the House of Assembly. 26 members are elected by citizens from across the state for a four year term to represent them in government.

The house responsibilties are to debate and pass legislation, provide a government, supervise the government's administration by requiring it to explain policies and actions, supply funds and represent the views of the people of Akwa Ibom State. it has a number of select committees which examin proposed legislation (bills) in detail, often hearing submissions from interested members of the public.

The Judicial Branch

The Judiciary explains and applies the laws. This branch does this by hearing and eventually making decisions on various legal cases.

The judicial branch is in charge of the court system. there are three different courts, the magistrate court, the high court, and the court of appeal.

The Judiciary is independent and free from political interference. Judges are appointed by the Governor.

it is the judges role to apply the law to every case that comes before the court.

Ministries

Local Government

Akwa Ibom State ministries are government departments for sectoral service delivery by the executive branch of the state government.

Most ministries are housed in the Idongesit Nkanga Secretariat complex. Each ministry is headed by a commissioner appointed by the governor. the commissioners work with the permanent secretaries and directors of the ministries. The staff of the ministries are civil service employees headed by the Head of Civil Service.

The ministries are created to service needs of the citizens such as social security, economic security and environmental security. These ministries provide such needs as education, health, housing, and lands among others.

Akwa Ibom State local government supports grassroots participation in government and ensures development at the local level and rural areas of the state.

The local governments are overseen by an appointed commissioner for local government and chieftaincy affairs who overseas elected local government chairmen and people represented paramount rulers.

The local government chairmen, of the 31 local government areas of the state, together with their vice chairmen, council legislatives and councillors operate from their respective secretariats managing schools, hospitals, markets and other people oriented infrastructures and services.

The paramount rulers with their clan heads, village heads and chiefs operate from their palaces in each local government area delivering community based leadership.