By | Daniel Etokidem
From the very tone of Governor Umo Eno’s correspondence to the Rt. Hon. Speaker of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, dated April 7, 2026, and read on the floor of the House by the Clerk, Mrs. Nsikak-Abasi Orok, during plenary on Thursday, April 16, the message was unmistakable. This was business unusual.
It marked a clear departure from established norms and served as an early indication that getting it right from the outset would neither be compromised nor sacrificed on the altar of political expediency. Merit was not merely referenced; it was firmly established as the governing principle. The signal was delivered with precision, leaving no room for ambiguity.
Titled “Nomination of Commissioners for Confirmation, Akwa Ibom State Electricity Regulatory Commission (AKSERC)”, the Governor’s letter stated in part:
“It is my honour and privilege to write pursuant to Sections 5 and 6 of the Akwa Ibom State Electricity Law 2025, which respectively establish the Akwa Ibom State Electricity Regulatory Commission and provide that the Commission shall consist of five Commissioners nominated by the Governor and confirmed by the House of Assembly.”
He further noted:
“Following the conclusion of a thorough and transparent search and selection process, five nominees have been identified as eminently qualified for appointment as the first Commissioners of AKSERC.”
“This process involved a public call for expression of interest, competitive shortlisting, and a series of interviews conducted by an expert panel that acted entirely independent of influence from any official of the State Government or any external interest.”
Governor Eno emphasized that the nominees were recommended as individuals who are technically sound, legally competent, and constitutionally qualified in accordance with Section 6(2) of the Law.
In his words:
“I have since met with each nominee and I am fully satisfied that they possess the qualities required to be effective Commissioners at AKSERC.”
“Consequently, I am pleased to present them to the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly for screening and confirmation.”
He also expressed confidence that the nominees would collectively provide the expertise required to establish a credible regulatory institution and advance the development of the State’s electricity market.
The nominees are as follows:
Engr. Ubong Etukudoh, Commissioner for Engineering, is an experienced electricity sector engineer and Deputy Manager at the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, with strong expertise in technical regulation, performance monitoring, and network compliance.
Dr. Valerie Okon Obot, Commissioner for Finance and Corporate Services, is a pioneer Permanent Secretary in the Akwa Ibom State Ministry of Power, with extensive experience in public administration, stakeholder engagement, and sector reform.
Mr. Paul Okon, Commissioner for Economic Regulation, is a regulatory economist and Manager for Commercial Services at Ibom Power Company Limited, with proven competence in tariff design, market modelling, contract management, and regulatory compliance.
Dr. Kalu Ukaha, Commissioner for Policy, Planning, and Innovation, is a seasoned energy reform expert with decades of experience advising governments and energy institutions both within and outside Nigeria.
Ms. Arit Okon-Uya, Commissioner for Stakeholder Engagement and Consumer Affairs, is an Assistant General Manager at the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, with strong experience in licensing, compliance, consumer protection, and institutional reform.
In making these appointments, the Governor has carried out a routine constitutional duty in a manner that is both deliberate and exemplary.
He looked beyond politics, beyond the pressures of re-election, and beyond the expectations of patronage. His focus was firmly on the broader interest of the State and the long-term welfare of its people.
This is the so-called “betrayal” that has unsettled critics. It is a departure from the familiar pattern of politically driven appointments. In its place, Governor Umo Eno has demonstrated that effective governance requires a clear separation between institutional responsibility and partisan considerations.
For AKSERC to succeed, it must rest on a solid foundation defined by vision, integrity, competence, capacity, professionalism, and patriotism. That foundation has now been established.
Notably, more than 98 hours after the announcement, there has been a conspicuous absence of politically motivated congratulatory messages across social media. This departure from the usual pattern further reinforces the credibility of the process.
The Governor’s objective is evident. Addressing the State’s energy challenges is central to unlocking broader socioeconomic progress.
To achieve this, he instituted a system that ensured that candidates were identified through open search, shortlisted competitively, assessed on merit and track record, and selected through a transparent process aligned with global standards.
In doing so, he has effectively removed the influence of nepotism, tribalism, favouritism, partisanship, and abuse of office.
Akwa Ibom now joins a growing number of states, including Enugu, Ekiti, Ondo, Imo, Oyo, Edo, Kogi, Lagos, Ogun, Niger, Plateau, and Abia, that have established frameworks for subnational electricity markets, supported by constitutional and legal provisions.
The significance of this development cannot be overstated.
The effectiveness of AKSERC in licensing operators, setting regulatory standards, protecting consumers, and establishing cost-reflective tariffs will determine the extent to which the State achieves its vision of reliable, accessible, and affordable electricity.
The process has begun. The responsibility now rests with the Commissioners-designate.
Their task is clear. They are to deliver results and justify the confidence reposed in them. In doing so, they have the opportunity to shape history and leave a lasting legacy.
(C) Daniel Etokidem, a Political Communication Expert, is Special Assistant (Media) to the Akwa Ibom State Governor.
