Our reporters
The immediate past Akwa Ibom Governor, Udom Emmanuel’s grip ,on the politics of the state despite his avowed statements not to continue in office through his successor has sparked controversy among the people, Straightnews has found out.
Emmanuel who ruled Akwa Ibom, Nigeria’s South South state two terms from 2015 to 2023 at several fora drummed the message into the ears of many not to continue in office beyond 2023, through any surrogate leader.
But, his stranglehold, according our findings, in the politics of the state in a manner that apparently orchestrates a third term agenda has sparked controversy from many political watchers, the online newspaper gathered.
Recall that during a meeting with Mboho Mkparawa Ibibio who had stormed the gate of the Government House, Uyo in jubilant mood over his (governor) victory at the tribunal on Thursday September, 19, 2019, the ex-governor told them of his plan to steer clear of any governance ark.
The newspaper also learnt that in February 2022, the ex-Governor while playing host to the leadership of a foremost Akwa Ibom-based socio-political group, Ibom Patriots, who were at the Government House, Uyo, on a solidarity visit reiterated that he has no intention of running a surrogate leadership after his tenure in 2023.
According to him, “The era of godfatherism in politics is gone in Akwa Ibom. It is government of the people for the people and by the people.
“God is interested in the people and God is about the people. We are going into an era when power has changed hand into the hand of the Holy Spirit, so that no man can boast that I did this or I did that.
“I will never arrogate to myself that kind of power. You’ll never hear me even one day say to even a councillor, I made you a Councillor.
“All power belongs to God. It is God who makes people what they are, not man. So we must not arrogate such powers to ourselves.”
But, Emmanuel’s teeth in the political flesh of the state has left many confused but angry contrary to his purported stance to distance himself from the Hiltop Mansion politics.
A cursory look at the six-point hatched plot, Eno appears to be subservient to the whims of his predecessor, the newspaper has discovered.
(1) Election of 8th AKHA House Leader
A first-term lawmaker, Sunday Johnny emerged leader of the 8th Akwa Ibom House of Assembly.
Described as one of the ‘palace boys’, Johnny is representing Onna State Constituency, the constituency of Emmanuel.
By his emergence, he circumvented the known House convention and legislative practices because the house leadership is always reserved for a ranking member.
Straightnews learnt that the position was given to appease the ex-governor since he lost out in enthroning Ukpong Akpabio, his preferred candidate, as the speaker of the Assembly fronted to spite Godswill Akpabio, the current Nigeria’s Senate President.
Again, Sampson Idiong, Udom’s brother-inlaw, representing Oruk Anam State Constituency, was elected Deputy Chief Whip in the house. He is also a first-time law-maker.
(2) Appointment of Chief Press Secretary, 22 Commissioners and Special Adviser
The erstwhile governor’s political inkling is shown in the re-appointment of his Chief Press Secretary who served him for eight years. Before now, the CPS had bragged that he would stay in the office for 16 years.
Again, the ex-governor’s seeming influence is stamped in the re-appointment and subsequent swearing in of his 22 Commissioners and one Special Adviser.
Though Governor Umo Eno has been telling people that he rewarded those who fought with him in the trenches, analysts see that the appointments were allegedly teleguided y Udom.
(3) Installation of Mkpat Enin Political Leader
The past governor’s signage was seen during the installation of Mkpat Enin Political Leader, Professor Eno Ibanga. Ibanga was Commissioner for Works and Fire Service during the Udom administration. Governor Eno reappointed him as a Commissioner in-charge of the same Ministry.
The delegation to the event was led by Udom’s kitchen members: Barr. Emmanuel Enoidem, the Secretary to the State Government, Prince Enobong Uwah, the dean of Commissioners and Special Advisers, Sir Monday Ebong Uko and the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Frank Archibong, among others.
At the event, the immediate past Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Udom Emmanuel congratulated Professor Ibanga on the honour done on him by his people.
“This honour given you by Mkpat Enin people is a testament to your maximization of the opportunity to serve in Government to the benefit of the people. I have no doubts that you and capable to do even more and carry the task ahead successfully. Once again congratulations,” he said.
The past governor was represented by the immediate past member who represented Eket, Onna, Esit Eket and Ibeno Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Pat Ifon.
Emmanuel’s presence was significant because he was the last Political Leader of Mkpat Enin, having taken over when there were crises in 2016. He was on hand to congratulate Professor Eno Ibanga on his recognition as the political leader of Mkpat Enin.
In his goodwill message, Sir Monday Ebong Uko, extolled the virtues of Professor Eno Ibanga.
Uko assured Mkpat Enin people of the capabilities of Professor Ibanga to lead them aright, adding that the celebration in Mkpat Enin puts an end to the “imaginary crises” read on social media about the local government area.
Archibong, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, said with what he witnessed, it was obvious that Ibanga is a man of the people.
On the contrary, the governor’s wife, Patience, an indigene of the area, was not present. Her husband Pastor Umo Eno, a son-in-law was nowhere to be found, though he was in the state neither did he send any representative
(4) The ‘missing’ Akwa Ibom-owned Aircraft
Governor Eno has been clearing the air about the aircraft, dismissing insinuations that the immediate past governor, Udom Emmanuel, was still in possession of the governor’s official jet.
Éno was said to have come under criticism after he boarded passengers’ plane (Ibom Air) from Uyo to Abuja, recently, and subjected himself to security scrutiny at Victor Attah Ibom International Airport.
His critics had stated that he resorted to flying with Ibom Air because the former governor, Emmanuel, was still keeping the governor’s official private jet.
In what appears as a way of shielding his predecessor, Eno has not told Akwa Ibom people, the location of the aircraft. This has continued to fuel suspicion of the ex-Governor’s involvement in the saga and a reflection of his style of translucent politics.
(5) Non-disclosure of Akwa Ibom Industries
In his speech marking the 35th Akwa Ibom creation anniversary, Emmanuel told the people that he had established 25 industries. He did not list them.
Since the end of his tenure, Umo Eno, his successor has not told Akwa Ibom people how the industries are faring. Again, he shies away from mentioning the industries in his public discourse. The governor has not told Akwa Ibom people, owners the industries, the equity shares and has not given update of the said industries in a way the governor is ‘protecting’ his predecessor. This is to avoid upturning the applecart.
(6) Arise means Dakadda
Governor Eno unveiled the ARISE Agenda, a visionary plan aimed at propelling the state’s socio-economic growth and transforming the lives of its citizens.
His predecessor propagated Dakadda. In a typical Akwa Ibom dialectal interpretation, arise means dakadda.
This is as, Akwa Ibomites are hoping that the tenure of PUE as governor of Akwa Ibom State, upon his being sworn into office on May 29, 2023, will be a “season of happiness” for the State.
That is in the light of his “ARISE” Agenda for the State to achieve peace, prosperity and the continuity with the development strides attained so far to the fruition of a productive livelihood for our success and therefore the promise for “happy days” ahead.
This will complement the ‘DAKKADA’ mantra of Governor Udom Emmanuel’s administration on the re-orientation of the Akwa Ibom people to believe in their abilities on a “can do” spirit to achieve greatness.
The “ARISE” Agenda is anchored on a five-point programme of related development components on: Agricultural revolution, Rural development, Infrastructural maintenance/advancement, Security management and Education advancement.
Both the predecessor and the successor seem to be toeing same path in enunciating a five-point agenda.
Similarly, Emmanuel rolled out a five-point agenda while he was consulting and campaigning to become governor of Akwa Ibom state in his first term in 2015.
According to the document, Emmanuel promised to create wealth, alleviate poverty, create jobs, consolidate and expand infrastructure, and ensure economic and political inclusion.
One interviewee told Straightnews ‘‘It is befuddling that Emmanuel opposed Akpabio’s interference in his administration, yet he is the person who is intermingling in the administration of another person. This is sheer hypocrisy and selfishness. He spoke against third term agenda, but he is embracing it indirectly. Where lies his integrity as a person?’’
However, political strategists believe that Umo Eno is trying to ‘play’ boy in order to scale the lingering legal battle pending at the Governorship Elections Petition Tribunal for a soft landing.
According to them, ‘‘as soon as the legal dust is cleared, the governor will take cut a definite path to enable his administration to ‘breathe’ in the execution of projects and taking independent decisions on his government.’’
