Aniefiok Christopher
Akwa Ibom Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, and immediate past Governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel ‘‘reunited’’ publicly at the funeral service of Rev (Dr) Emmanuel Ossom, months after their political disagreement and re-alignment.
Eno officially defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) at Government House, Uyo on Friday, 6 June 2025.
Eno described his defection as a response to the evolving political climate, stating: “We must be able to interpret the times, flow with them, and not swim against the tide. Having completed my consultations, I have now decided to align myself with the All Progressives Congress.”
Eno was picked by Emmanuel as his successor, among other choices open to him under the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.
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It was rumoured that Emmanuel felt disappointed by the Governor’s defection to the ruling political party.
On 8 June, 2025, Emmanuel said that his successor, Pastor Eno, not only disappointed him, but betrayed him and the people of Akwa Ibom who voted him into office in 2023.
In the statement Emmanuel said: “I’m deeply surprised by this development. This is a time when Nigerians are facing severe challenges—hardship, insecurity, and a high cost of living.
“One would expect any well-meaning leader to distance themselves from the party responsible for these problems.
“Instead, we see the governor throwing his weight behind the same party.
“We all know the Governor is desperate. He is fighting tooth and nail to secure a second term.
“But mark today—Akwa Ibom people will stand against such desperation.
“I want to congratulate the Commissioners and other appointees who had the courage to resign.
“It shows that we still have people of integrity who put the people first.
“I call on PDP members not to be intimidated. We will reclaim our mandate in 2027 with the support of the good people of Akwa Ibom State.”
Since then, the political son and political master were not seen at any public functions both in Uyo or outside the area.
As a result, the Commissioner for Special Duties and Ibom Deep Seaport, Comrade Ini Ememobong resigned and joied forces with PDP machinery against APC machine gun in the state.
Eno later canvassed for Akwa Ibom United to galvanise the support of other political parties for APC lordship.
After the botched Ibadan PDP National Convention on 12 November, 2025, Eno sacked two of his aides for participation in the convention.
Enobong Uwah, the secretary to the Akwa Ibom State Government, announced the government’s decision in a statement on Monday in Uyo.
Mr Uwah said the action was part of Mr Eno’s “ongoing restructuring exercise to align the machinery of government towards the success of the Renewed Hope and ARISE Agenda”.
However, on 1 December, 2025, Emmanuel called on Nigerians to ignore all biases and massively support President Bola Tinubu to solve the challenges currently facing the country.
Emmanuel, who stated this at an interactive session held with newsmen at the Pre-Service of Nine Lessons and Carol, held at the United Evangelical Church, Surulere, Lagos, yesterday, noted that all hands must be on deck in massively providing required support for the President to solve the problems facing the country.
After months of long night, both Eno and Emmanuel met at the funeral service of Rev Ossom on Saturday, 21 February, 2026.
They hugged themselves, exchanged pleasantries together and later sat close to each other at the well-attended function.
Governor Eno described the life of late Rev. Emmanuel Akpan Ossom as one worthy of emulation as a child of God in all ramification.
The Governor made the remark Saturday, 21 February, 2026 at the funeral ceremony in honour of Rev. (Dr.) Emmanuel Ossom conducted by the United Evangelical Church at Ikot Ubo, Nsit Ubium Local Government Area.
“Anybody who met with Rev. (Dr.) Ossom knew he met a child of God. And, for me particularly, I cannot forget December, 1974, when he baptized me personally in Qua Iboe Church, Surulere, Lagos; and he signed my baptismal certificate.
“On behalf of the Government and people of Akwa Ibom State, we extend our very warm condolences to this family of our late clergy, our father in faith,” he added.
He assured the family that, the Government will continue to stand by them, and expressed hope that the late Patriarch has gone to a better place.
“Our late Daddy was one of the strong leaders of the Akwa Ibom State Christian Leadership Advisory Council; and, we pray that God in His infinite mercy will fill the gap, and continue to raise men of wisdom and character like him, for the State.”
On his part, the former Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Udom Emmanuel, eulogized the exceptional virtues of the deceased, who through his ministration, led a good number of people to Christ.
Mr. Emmanuel prayed God to comfort the bereaved family, even as he urged them to take solace in the fact that their father lived a life that glorified God.
Preaching on the topic: Benefits of Christians in death, cited from Philippians 1:21-27, Chairman of Conference, United Evangelical Church Rev. Daniel Anjorin, noted that if Christians die in Christ Jesus, they gain a better body, home, fellowship, inheritance, and absolute rest from labour.
Rev. Anjorin enjoined Christians to ensure they live a Christ-like life in order to gain more in life after their death.
