Pastor Umo Eno, the preferred successor to Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom State, was seen kneeling before him in Government House, Uyo.
In the picture, Emmanuel who was clutching microphone on his left hand held Eno’s back while his wife, Martha was watching the scene.
Obong Victor Attah, the ex-Akwa Ibom Governor, had presented Eno, the current Commissioner for Land and Water Resources, before some PDP stakeholders on Sunday.
Defending his choice at a programme on Monday, Emmanuel said it was God who picked Eno.
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“Let me say this emphatically, I mean well for this State, that is why I waited for God to show me the man who would continue with the pace of developmental strides we have started in the last six plus years and then move the needle even further.”
“Pastor Umo Eno is a highly respected person; he has enormous capacity, is an epitome of humility, and is blessed with the common touch, a compelling story and is God- fearing.
“He is a successful entrepreneur who has employed our people, lifted thousands from poverty to prosperity. He will be coming to the office of Governor with an economic blueprint that will further guarantee employment, development, and economic prosperity for our people.
“He is a man of peace and will ensure that the peace and security of life we have enjoyed in the last six plus years will be maintained. His life story resonates with the story of most ordinary Akwa Ibom people,” he had stated.
Visit to Attah
On Monday, January 31, Eno began what could be termed as ‘meet the who’s who tour’ and the first port of call was a visit to the second democratically elected civilian governor of the state, Obong Victor Attah at Shelter Afrique, Uyo.
The visit to Attah was a way of saying ‘thank you’ for it was the former governor who formally presented Eno to the PDP stakeholders on Sunday.
They were made up of the leading PDP stalwarts from the three senatorial districts who all applauded the choice and pledged to work towards his success in 2023.
Speaking during the visit, Eno thanked Attah for mentoring him at a very early stage of his life and for always supporting him grow both in business and public service.
He recalled that it was Attah who gave him his first public appointment as chairman of Akwa Ibom State Tourism Board even when he (Eno) never had a party card.
The PDP governorship aspirant also thanked Emmanuel for giving him a second chance at public service and expressed sincere gratitude to Attah for the endorsement.
He recalled that he lost his father when he was 23 adding that God has always raised destiny helpers at every point of his life.
“Today the grace of God has found me out through the benevolence of Governor Udom Emmanuel. The Akwa Ibom project has to be furthered.
“My goal is to further agriculture, industrialization, employment, and with Ibom Air, make the state a destination. Your Excellency, Ibom Science Park will be revived as you envisaged. We will continue your good works. I am pleased to be scolded, tutored and mentored at your feet,” he stated.
Earlier, Mr. Assam Assam, the former Attorney General of the state and Commissioner for Justice, had expressed appreciation to Attah for his contribution to the state.
He said the former governor had become a toast of Akwa Ibom people and indeed other states in Nigeria.
The one-time Nigeria’s Ambassador to Russia and Belarus said the visit was meant to present Eno to him for blessing following his adoption and endorsement by the party’s stakeholders in the state.
“Your Excellency, we have come here to present to you our hope for 2023. Somebody we believe will be able to manage the stakes that will be left behind. We thank you for presenting him to us.
“Now we want to come to consult you and to inform you that he is the one we want to succeed Governor Udom Emmanuel in 2023,” he said.
Assam further commended Attah for his resource control struggle saying “that single contribution by that single individual propelled us into the comity of states and the envy of all other states in the country”.
For his part, Mr. Emmanuel Enoidem, the national chairman, Maintain Peace Movement, (MPM), said the visit to Attah, being the maiden consultation after Eno’s official unveiling was symbolic and significant.
Enoidem described Obong Attah as a believer in the Akwa Ibom project and one who fought for the retention and preservation of the wealth God has given the state.
“You retired from politics but you did not leave leadership. You have remained a voice who believes in the unity of Akwa Ibom State.
“You laid the foundation for peace and the balance of power through rotation in 2007.
“Umo Eno who is a good student of yours will continue in the path to greatness you started,” he said.
Also speaking, Senator Akon Eyakenyi, the representative of Eket Senatorial District, described the choice of Eno as “timely” and assured that the enthusiasm of the people “is an indication that Akwa Ibom people are ready to run with Umo Eno project.”
Similarly, Dr. Godwin Ntukudeh, who spoke for Uyo Senatorial District, said the delegation was in Attah’s residence to honour him for who he is.
“We are in your house to honour you because you deserve honour.
“You designed the state and God gave you the opportunity to set the parameters for governance, courage and doggedness of the Akwa Ibom man.
“We are here to continue with the completion agenda and to urge you to give a handshake and transfer that dodged spirit of yours to Pastor Umo Eno,” he added.
Ntukudeh said the state “is today enjoying the many privileges of the resource control struggle Obong Attah championed.”
Responding, Attah described the PDP aspirant as a man of integrity, and clarified that he only moved the motion for Eno’s adoption but not the one who nominated him.
“I was the one who presented you, not the one who chose you because there is no one person that could have chosen you. Maintain your integrity. Unify Akwa Ibom. Be governor for all Akwa Ibom people. Be a listening Governor.
“Please, read all documents before you sign, don’t sign any document blindly. You must read, you must be careful what you sign but most importantly, let this be a government of all Akwa Ibom people,” he advised.
