… As Moses Essien highlights benefits of the Bill to citizenry
By Wisdom Ebu
The Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly has passed the Bill for law to provide for a peaceful and orderly transfer of executive power from one democratically elected Governor to another and for other matters connected therewith, through its second reading.
The Bill, sponsored by Hon. Moses Essien, the Member for Ibiono Ibom State Constituency, aims to provide a peaceful and orderly transfer of power from one democratically elected Governor to another.
During the Thursday, July 3, 2025 plenary session, held at the State Assembly complex, Udo Udoma Avenue, Uyo, Essien explained that the Bill seeks to address the challenges usually encountered during power transitions after the expiration of the stipulated tenure for the office as provided in the constitution.
He added, “This bill, when passed into law, will provide a legal framework that will drive the process of transitional powers and guide the chief executive officer and the government on procedural mechanisms for peaceful and orderly transition.”
According to him, the Bill is arranged into 4 parts with 15 sections, making provisions for peaceful and orderly transfer of power, especially for the tenure of a Governor and Deputy, to forestall any disruption in the transfer process that could be detrimental to the peace and order of the state.
He said Part 2, Section 2 meticulously explains the transition process, which enables the Governor to constitute a Governorship Transition Committee within seven days after the declaration of the result of the election to the office of the Governor.
The Committee comprises the Secretary to the State Government as Chairman, the Chief of Staff, the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, the Commissioner for Finance, the Head of Service, and any other person or persons the Governor deems necessary for the effective execution of the transition process.
Essien, who also chairs the House Committees on Health, Nutrition, and Food Security, added that the Bill carries other provisions that specifically mandate an incumbent Governor to complete the lofty projects of his predecessors for the benefit of Akwa Ibom State people.
The Bill was seconded by Hon. Lawrence Udoide, the Member for Ini, and received commendations from the Majority Leader, Rt. Hon. Otobong Bob, Member for Nsit Ubium, who described it as “apt and simple.”which would aid in guiding the process of power transition to the subsequent administration, amicably.
In his ruling, the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. (Elder) Udeme Otong, referred the Bill to the House Committee on Inter-governmental and Political Matters to organize a public hearing and report back to the House within one month.
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