A Pastor from Akwa Ibom, Uduak Ikpat has slammed his colleague, Michael Bush for criticizing Governor Umo Eno over his alleged ‘poor’ governance of the state.
Pastor Ikpat who in a press release signed for APC Foundational members has slammed his colleague, Pastor Bush, also a chieftain of Peoples Democratic Party in Akwa Ibom for criticising Governor Eno’s governance.
Bush, also renowned journalist, had accused Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom of “deceiving” the people with his “Akwa Ibom United” political slogan.
In a his Facebook post, Bush, under the topic: ”Sssh, stop rambling: Focus on the crystal ball,” wrote, ‘‘Today, I came to tell you a prophecy or two. One frontline governorship standard bearer in the 2023 ballot build-up said something about the election battle being between the forces of light and darkness. The man might very well have been speaking about edition 2027. Because, indeed, with Peoples Democratic Party repositioning and restructuring and revolving, a small fire might very well -very soon- become an inferno.’’
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Before defecting from the PDP to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in June, Mr Eno played down party politics, saying that political parties are “merely vehicles” for seeking elected offices.
At the time, Mr Eno had encouraged the PDP members in Akwa Ibom, including his administration officials, to accept, show respect, and work with the APC leaders and members in the state.
After his defection, the governor doubled down – integrating the phrase “Akwa Ibom United,” which he used to refer to governance across party lines, into the APC slogan in the state.
Bush who is a Pastor with Power City International, Uyo in a manner that sounded prophetic declared ‘‘Mark those words, even if you cannot. Two, implosion is coming. Those who thought PDP was good-for-nothing shall come running back; earnestly seeking cover. Pity, so-called former members of PDP currently insulting the party: where shall you seek refuge?
‘’A PDP Akwaibomight, a lawyer, who hails from Nsit Atai LGA, said something quite profound the other day. He was asking why people burn brooms when they crosstitute from All Progressives Congress but not one PDP quitter has burnt even one UMBRELLA so far. Everyone knows what everyone knows. PDP is an old firewood -whatever that means.
‘‘The 2027 governorship poll in Akwa Ibom will therefore be more than just an election. It will be a no-holds-barred referendum on light or darkness, honesty or deception and above all, on whether a traitor can be betrayed. The man in Government House, Uyo needs neither supporters nor opponents for that election. What he needs, and he had better start conducting his housekeeping now, is a verifiable account of the stewardship that PDP foolishly offered him in 2023.’’
Apologise today
“Apologise today for the euphemism or rather the deceit you call Akwa Ibom United and go on to run your APC system because even the blind can see what you are doing from the pulpit of governance,” Mr Bush, the CEO of Bush House Nigeria, a media outfit in Uyo, said to Mr Eno last Tuesday, following the governor’s sacking of two of his political aides, on Monday, for attending the just-concluded PDP national convention in Ibadan, Oyo State.
‘‘Attacks and counterattacks now flying all over social media shall be immaterial, because even those grudgingly shouting hosanna today might well sing another song from as early as the wee months of next year. Focus on the job for which we hired you, Sir.
‘‘Meanwhile, just so you see my heart, I beg APC in the name of God to treat you even half as well as PDP, which you never contributed anything to, did between 2018/2019 and 2023!’’ he added.
In September, during the controversy over the action of some of his aides who went to the Uyo airport to welcome his predecessor, Udom Emmanuel, Mr Eno said, “We are running Akwa Ibom United. We respect our leaders across party lines, but that does not change the fact that I am in the APC now to support President Bola Tinubu and Mr Akpabio.”
When asked if his predecessor, who has remained in the PDP, was happy with him, Mr Eno said, “I will not fight my boss (referring to the former governor, Mr Emmanuel) or any leader.”
“We are in good terms,” he added.
In October, less than a month after Mr Eno’s remarks, the police withdrew security from Mr Emmanuel’s residence, on the governor’s order, indicating that the relationship between the two leaders had broken down.
Sacking of Two aides
The sacking of the two aides has ignited fresh political tension in the oil-rich Akwa Ibom, with many politicians taking opposing stances on the matter, and the PDP leadership in the state, through its spokesperson, Ewa Okpo, accusing Governor Eno of “hypocrisy and impunity”.
“During the build-up to His Excellency’s defection from the PDP, he kept claiming that he wanted to have one Akwa Ibom State regardless of partisan differences, yet he proceeded to threaten his appointees to resign from his administration if they would not defect with him, and has since then persecuted anyone who refuses to defect to the APC with him,” Mr Okpo said in a statement on Monday.
The sacked aides are Joseph Jacob Ikpak, a senior special assistant to the governor on support services and Felix Ekuri, a special assistant to the governor on Neighbourhood Watch.
There has been apprehension within the administration due to concerns that many officials, including commissioners, have remained loyal to the PDP and Mr Eno’s predecessor, Mr Emmanuel.
Eno directs disloyal aides to resign forthwith
Addressing his aides at Government House, Eno said “Everybody will not agree with us, and that is understood and that is allowed, but what we will not tolerate is for people to believe that they can be in government and be working against the government…Every action carries a consequence.
‘‘And I say it again: either you carefully and quietly leave, and we will be glad to receive resignations, than to stay inside and begin to rock the boat. We will not tolerate it, and that is the truth.”
Quoting from the Bible 1 Corinthians 4:2, he reminded political appointees that “it is required in stewards that a man be found faithful,” insisting that loyalty remains the irreducible minimum for anyone privileged to serve.
He explained that Scripture does not permit divided allegiance, pointing to Matthew 6:24; “no man can serve two masters” – and Amos 3:3; “can two walk together except they agree?”
The Governor said such principles apply not only to spiritual responsibilities but also to public service.
He stressed that those who dine at the government’s table must be prepared to stand with its vision, and that anyone unwilling to do so is free to step aside.
“There are people who eat at the table of the king yet feel comfortable working against the same king. That era is over,” he said. “Faithfulness and loyalty are not negotiable. They are universal standards.”
Eno warned that while his administration prioritises peace, it should not be mistaken for weakness.
“Those who think they can try our resolve to maintain peace should rethink. Meekness is not weakness. I got this job on the mandate of Akwa Ibom people, and I will discharge it till the very last day,” he said.
Ikpat replies Bush’s criticisms
Ikpat in a press release issued on Wednesday, November 26 said ‘‘The attention of the Foundational Members of All Progressives Congress, APC has been drawn to a piece written by one Michael Bush, purporting to offer advice to Governor Umo Eno, Ph.D. While we appreciate the writer’s interest in the governance of Akwa Ibom State, we take umbrage with the tone, content, and accuracy of the write-up.
Writing on the topic: OFFICIAL RESPONSE TO MICHAEL BUSH’S WRITE-UP, Ikpat noted ‘‘Firstly, we note that the writer, Michael Bush, claims to have played a frontline role in the making of Governor Umo Eno in 2023, yet he is now criticizing the Governor’s performance. We wonder what role he played and what contributions he made to the Governor’s campaign.
‘‘Moving on, the writer takes issue with Governor Umo Eno’s decision to leave the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and join the All Progressives Congress (APC). We want to remind Michael Bush that the Governor is a free agent who made a personal decision to join the APC, and he is not answerable to anyone for his actions. The Governor’s decision was not a betrayal, but rather a deliberate choice to join a party that shares his vision for the development of Akwa Ibom State.’’
Ikpat who is also a journalist commented ‘‘Furthermore, the writer’s assertion that the Governor has not been prioritizing Nsit Ubium, Akwaibomites, and residents is baseless and unfounded. The Governor has been working tirelessly to develop Akwa Ibom State and improve the lives of its citizens, regardless of their geographical location or political affiliation. The numerous development projects, including roads, bridges, schools, and healthcare facilities, are a testament to the Governor’s commitment to the people of Akwa Ibom State.
The writer also accuses the Governor of spreading poverty and not alleviating it. This is a baseless allegation and a clear example of mischief. The Governor under the ARISE Agenda has initiated several poverty alleviation programs and projects, which have benefited thousands of Akwa Ibom citizens. These programs include skills acquisition, agricultural support, and microfinance schemes, among others.’’
According to him, ‘‘Furthermore, the writer questions the Governor’s communication style, saying that he makes people look like beggars or fools when he addresses them. We believe that the Governor’s communication style is clear, concise, and effective, and he has the mandate of the people to lead Akwa Ibom State. The Governor has been engaging with the people, listening to their concerns, and addressing them in a manner that is accessible and understandable to all.
‘‘The writer also makes several other allegations, including the Governor’s supposed lack of focus on legacy projects, his treatment of civil servants, and his handling of contractors. We reject these allegations and point out that the Governor is working hard to ensure that Akwa Ibom State becomes a model of development and progress in Nigeria.
‘’In fact, the Governor has made significant strides in the areas of education, healthcare, and infrastructure development. The construction of new model schools, hospitals, and roads is ongoing, and the Governor has also launched several initiatives to improve the quality of education and healthcare in the state.
”We are also surprised that Michael Bush would suggest that the Governor is not interested in the welfare of civil servants. The Governor has increased the salaries of civil servants, improved their working conditions, and provided them with necessary tools and equipment to enable them discharge their duties effectively, as well as clearing the backlog of pension and gratuity owed by the previous governments.
”Regarding contractors, we assure the public that the Governor is committed to ensuring that all contractors are paid promptly and that all projects are completed to the highest standards.
In conclusion, we urge Michael Bush to desist from spreading misinformation and half-truths about Governor Umo Eno and the Government of Akwa Ibom State. The APC led State government under Governor Eno is committed to working for the people of Akwa Ibom State and will not be deterred by baseless criticisms and propaganda.
The people of Akwa Ibom State are witnessing positive change under Governor Umo Eno’s leadership, who has promised to continue to work tirelessly to ensure that the state remains a model of development and progress in Nigeria,’’ he added.
