• Udeme Otong, Speaker, AKHA
Following its resumption after a 30-day recess, the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly expressed its disapproval on Tuesday regarding the obstruction faced by lawmakers during an oversight visit to the General Hospital in Ikpe Ikot Nkon, Ini Local Government Area.
In a motion on the matter raised by the member representing Ibiono Ibom State Constituency and Chairman of the House Committee on Health, Hon. Moses Essien, the Assembly also announced plans to summon senior health officials to provide explanations for this incident.
Essien, who recounted how he and his colleagues were barred from the facility on Tuesday, September 16, 2025, explained that the Chief Medical Superintendent of the hospital, Dr. Ekemini Ubong Ukut, “decided to act like a god, instructing us that he had received a directive from the Commissioner for Health and the Permanent Secretary of the Hospital Management Board, Dr. Abraham Inyang Udo, not to allow members of the State Assembly access to the facility.”
Expressing dismay, Essien emphasised that the oversight visit was part of the Assembly’s constitutional responsibility to monitor service delivery, in accordance with the State of Emergency declared in the health sector by Governor Umo Eno.
The revelation sparked outrage among lawmakers. The House Leader, Rt. Hon. Otobong Bob, stressed that the oversight functions of lawmakers are constitutionally mandated, asserting that the House of Assembly is not required to inform government ministries, departments, or agencies prior to conducting such duties.
Bob emphasised the need for those in authority to respect the Nigerian constitution.
Also speaking, the Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. Kufre Edidem, described the incident as “an aberration for the Committee and the House of Assembly as a whole,” urging the Committee “to proceed and find out where the instructions emanated from.”
Edidem added: “Where someone is found culpable, they should be made to understand that they are serving the people, not the other way around.”
Additionally, Hon. Prince Ukpong Akpabio (Essien Udim) expressed his concerns: “Personally, I have fears. My fear is that if someone obstructs a Member of the House of Assembly from performing their constitutional duties, then there is something wrong.”
“I see no reason why anyone would prevent the government from accessing a government facility. This suggests that something suspicious is happening. Whoever issued the directive has offended the Governor, the Assembly, and the public. We should investigate this matter further.”
On his part, Hon. Lawrence Udoide (Ini State Constituency) expressed his disappointment, stating, “The hospital mentioned is in my constituency. I felt very embarrassed that when it was time for health facilities in my constituency to be assessed, the committee was denied access.
“We have the mandate of our people to carry out our constitutional duties. No one has the authority to prevent the House from performing its legitimate functions. Therefore, this matter should not be taken lightly.”
Following the submissions from members, the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Udeme Otong, directed the Health Committee to summon several officials, including the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Ekem John; the Chief Medical Superintendent of the hospital, Dr. Ekemini Ubong Ukut; the Permanent Secretary of the Hospital Management Board, Dr. Abraham InyangUdo; and the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, Pastor Patrick Eshiet to appear before it to provide explanations why lawmakers were barred from accessing to a public health facility.
