Akwa Ibom Governor’s aide sacked after allegedly criticising Tinubu over Oyo kidnap incident

Politics

UYO, Nigeria (NPA) — A media aide to the Political Adviser to the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Mr Osborne Ubong Okon, has been relieved of his appointment following a social media post in which he criticised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, allegedly over the handling of the abduction of schoolchildren and their teachers in Oyo State.

Okon, who served as Media Aide to the Political Adviser, drew attention on his Facebook page, Osborne Ubong Snr, to images of the kidnapped pupils and teachers reportedly seen lying helplessly on the ground in a forest.

Reacting to the incident in a post dated June 2, 2026, he wrote: “In a sane clime, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu would’ve respectfully and honourably resigned. I’m of APC but truth be told.”

His dismissal was conveyed in a letter dated June 2, 2026 — the same day the post was published.

The letter, referenced POL/GO/ADV.2/0041 and issued from the Office of the Political Adviser to the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, stated that the decision followed actions considered inconsistent with the expectations of the office.

“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 are hereby relieved of your engagement as Media Aide to the Political Adviser to His Excellency the Governor, with immediate effect from today, June 2, 2026,” the letter read.

The document, signed by the Political Adviser to the Governor, Prince Godwin Ntuk Udeh, PhD, further cautioned members of the public against conducting official business with Okon on behalf of the office following his disengagement.

The development has generated reactions on social media, with observers linking the dismissal to Okon’s criticism of the President and his comments on the handling of the Oyo abduction incident.

Neither the Akwa Ibom State Government nor the Presidency had publicly commented on the matter at the time of filing this report.