The 5,000 teachers fired by Akwa Ibom Governor Udom Emmanuel in 2018 have petitioned Governor-elect Umo Eno to reinstate them when he takes office.
The fired teachers requested the incoming Governor to recognize their predicament in a statement signed on their behalf by Comrade Edidiong Etop Udi, coordinator, and Comrade Ubong Akpan Obot, Secretary General, respectively.
While congratulating Eno and his deputy, Senator Akon Eyakenyi, on their election victory, they asked them to follow in the footsteps of Kaduna State Governor Nasir El Rufai, who recently re-employed the 3,000 primary school teachers he fired in 2018.
“We appeal that you toe the same path that His Excellency Mr. Nasir Elrufai of Kaduna State has taken by reabsorbing the 3000 Primary School Teachers who were sacked in 2018 for not passing the promotion exam organized by the State Government. This will be one historic achievement and hallmark of your administration.
“The forum specifically congratulates His Excellency, Pastor Umo Bassey Eno, and Senator Akon Eyakenyi for their massive victory at the poll as Governor-elect and Deputy Governor-Elect respectively.
“The gift of His Excellency, Pastor Umo Bassey Eno to Akwa Ibom State will usher in a horizon of unparalleled boundless hope, a ray of sunshine, and a rebirth of a new Akwa Ibom.
“Therefore, the Akwa Ibom State sacked 5000 teachers and implore the Governor-elect to be magnanimous in his victory by engaging all constituencies of the state in policy designing and implementation process in order to give every citizen a deep sense of proudly belonging to Akwa Ibom State.
“The group is very convinced that the Governor-elect will objectively assess the needs of the people including the plights of the sacked 5000 teachers with the hope of ameliorating their long years of suffering, marginalization, and exclusivity in the Commonwealth of the state”, they said.
The forum also appreciated Mr. Iniobong Bassey Eno for being instrumental in mitigating their plights as a people.
“His catalytic prowess and heroic display of maturity, experience, and aura of endurance, tolerance, patience, and understanding was bravery indeed. He identified with us at the peak of our griefs, sadness, and sorrowful hearts,” the sacked teachers said.
