A media aide in the office of the Political Adviser to Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, has been dismissed following a controversial social media post directed against President Bola Tinubu.
The aide, Osborne Okon, was relieved of his appointment on Tuesday in a letter signed by the Political Adviser to the Governor, Godwin Ntuk Udeh.
The dismissal letter cited what it described as “actions bordering on disloyalty” and the need to maintain discipline within the office as reasons for the decision.
“Following actions bordering on disloyalty and considering the necessity to always keep the Office of the Political Adviser purified, it has become compelling that you Mr Osborne Ubong Okon be and is hereby relieved of your engagement as a Media Aide to the Political Adviser to His Excellency the Governor, with immediate effect,” the letter stated.
The development came shortly after Okon made a post on Facebook criticising President Tinubu’s leadership, suggesting that in a “sane clime,” the President would have resigned over the country’s challenges.
“In a sane clime president Bola Ahmed Tinubu would’ve respectfully and honourably resigned. I’m of APC but truth be told,” he wrote.
The post drew attention partly because Governor Umo Eno recently defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), pledging support for President Tinubu and the ruling party.
Reacting to his dismissal, Okon said he was unaware of the decision until associates informed him after seeing the letter circulating online.
He described the manner of his removal as “insulting” and “embarrassing,” adding that he only learned of the development after receiving a phone call from a prominent individual in the state.
According to him, he was shocked to read allegations of disloyalty contained in the dismissal letter, insisting he had not been formally informed prior to its circulation.
Okon further explained that his engagement was based on a verbal understanding and not a formal appointment letter, and said he had remained in the role despite a modest monthly stipend of N65,000.
He added that financial gain was not his motivation, stating that he stayed in the position in anticipation of better opportunities in the future.
“I wasn’t working for salary. I was working for better days ahead,” he said.
Despite his dismissal, Okon maintained that he remains loyal to the APC and to Governor Umo Eno’s administration, pledging continued support for the governor’s political agenda.