Former Spokesperson of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Eseme Eyiboh, MNIPR, has challenged the classification of Esit Eket Local Government Area as underperforming in the recent report of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly (AKHA), demanding a fair, transparent and evidence-based reassessment.
In an open letter dated October 19, 2026, titled “When Oversight Falls Short of Evidence: A Call for a Fair, Transparent and Credible Re-assessment of Esit Eket Local Government Area,” Eyiboh questioned the methodology and evidential basis of the House Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, chaired by Rt. Hon. Mfon Idung.
The State House of Assembly recently published a report, following its inspection of the state’s 31 local government areas between June 26 and July 17, 2026.
While affirming his support for legislative oversight, Eyiboh argued that inspecting all 31 councils does not automatically establish the credibility of the assessment, demanding clarity on the performance indicators, financial records, project verification procedures and benchmarks used to classify councils.
“The credibility of legislative oversight depends not merely on the authority to investigate, but equally on the integrity of the evidence, fairness of the process and soundness of the conclusions reached,” he stated.
Eyiboh argued that council performance must be assessed beyond administrative buildings to encompass infrastructure, education, healthcare, agriculture, livelihoods, digital inclusion and social welfare.
To support his call, Eyiboh presented a range of interventions by the current Esit Eket administration, including the construction of Urua Ayu Market, which he stressed was newly built, not renovated; the renovation of Uquo Market and the Council Hall; construction of three compassionate homes, one each in Zones A, B and C; and landscaping of approximately 6,700 square metres of council premises.
The former lawmaker said the administration of Uduak Ikemesit Ikot also equipped the council’s ICT centre with 35 desktop computers; distributed 10 motorcycles to commercial operators whose motorcycles had become unserviceable, four tricycles to help farmers transport produce, and 10 wheelchairs to persons with disabilities.
Eseme Eyiboh listed the provision of ₦2.5 million in educational support to four law students and one best graduating student of Heritage Polytechnic.
He also cited a ₦9 million youth empowerment programme covering six participants who underwent six months of training at DASAK, costing ₦6 million, and subsequently received ₦500,000 each in empowerment grants.
Other reported initiatives include approximately ₦65 million in educational assistance to 3,000 pupils; distribution of 10,000 exercise books and 150 cartons of chalk to all 16 primary schools; and a holiday technology programme involving 130 students, with laptops awarded to the five best-performing participants.
The list further includes more than ₦12 million in medical assistance for a male child who was still receiving treatment; health insurance registration for 100 indigenes; and community security, peacebuilding, environmental management and administrative committees reportedly comprising over 167 members and attracting approximately ₦8 million in monthly expenditure.
Eyiboh argued that these interventions, if verified, represent investments spanning infrastructure, education, healthcare, agriculture, digital development, livelihoods, youth empowerment and social welfare.
He however cautioned that the projects must be examined against procurement records, expenditure, implementation, beneficiary documentation and measurable outcomes before conclusions are drawn.
“My argument is not that a list of projects settles the question of performance. It is that no credible judgement on performance should be made without a fair examination of material projects, expenditure records and the public value they generate,” he stated.
Eyiboh maintained that local government financial autonomy makes rigorous scrutiny more important, not less, stressing that direct access to statutory allocations must translate into responsible expenditure and measurable public benefits.
“Financial autonomy is not a licence for waste, nor does it exempt local government officials from accountability,” he declared.
Eyiboh called for a targeted reassessment of Esit Eket; clarification of the committee’s methodology and performance benchmarks; verification of additional documentary evidence and discrepancies; structured stakeholder participation; consistent performance indicators across all councils; and clearer reports distinguishing verified findings from unresolved questions and recommendations.
He said these measures would strengthen legislative oversight and public confidence rather than undermine the committee’s authority.
Eseme Eyiboh stressed that his intervention was neither an attempt to shield the Esit Eket administration from criticism nor a declaration that its performance was flawless, but a demand for transparent, evidence-based judgement.
“Oversight without sufficient evidence risks becoming an assertion of authority. Oversight grounded in verifiable facts becomes an instrument of accountability, justice and development,” he stated.
He appealed to the Speaker to facilitate a credible reassessment, insisting that the people of Esit Eket deserve both accountable leadership and an accurate account of their local government’s development record.
