Group petitions Tinubu, Akpabio over ‘underperforming’ minister

A frontline political group in Akwa Ibom North West Senatorial District, Annang Frontline Mandate (AFM) has petitioned Nigeria’s President, Bola Tinubu, and the President of the Nigerian Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, over what they described as “under-performance” of the junior Minister for Gas, Ekperikpe Ekpo.

The group, through their coordinator, Anselem Asua-ama, claimed that Mr Ekpo lacks the credibility to connect the senatorial district together for the unity of the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 general elections, alleging that his performance is far below the expectation of the people of the district and Akwa Ibom State in general.

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The group, in a letter to Tinubu and Akpabio, called for the removal of Mr Ekpo from the Federal Executive Council.

According to them, the junior minister is not representing the State well at the Federal Executive Council, urging Akpabio to ensure that Mr Ekpo is replaced with another vibrant indigene of Abak Federal Constituency any time there are changes in the Federal Executive Council.

The group hinted that there are many vibrant sons and daughters of Abak Federal Constituency that can perform better than Mr Ekpo at the Federal Executive Council, stressing that he should be replaced with immediate effect.

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The group lamented the alleged poor attitude of the minister towards the organization and togetherness of the Abak Federal Constituency, noting that the continuation of Mr Ekpo as Minister for Gas is a serious loss to the people of the state, because, according to them, he has not added any tangible value to his federal constituency.

The coordinator of the group further hinted that the recent media report on the Channels TV that included the minster as one of the under-performing ministers in President Tinubu’s government is a testament to the group’s position.

The Guardian made attempts to reach Mr Ekpo for his reaction to the allegations but was unable to get a response as of the time of filing this report.

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The group also claimed that Senator Akpabio, while responding to the group during a closed-door meeting with its leadership in his Essien Udim residence, stated that President Tinubu was watching the lapses of all the underperforming ministers, and that very soon the he will take decisive action against them.

Senator Akpabio, the group said, urged them to continue supporting the Tinubu administration, promising them that very soon the current economic situation in the country will improve while also assuring them of the intention of the present government to improve the welfare of Nigerians.