Gov Eno reacts to rumbling that followed predecessor's visit to Akwa Ibom

As the reception accorded former Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom State by his successor’s aides sparks controversy and sets off loyalty debates, Governor Umo Eno has clarified that the real threat lies not in openly welcoming leaders but in those backstabbers who whisper lies in secret yet smile in your face.

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“For me, those to watch out for are not those who pay respect to our leaders in the open. It is those who sneak surreptitiously to tell lies and plant evil seeds and yet come to smile with you,” a report by an online newspaper, Policy and Politics, quoted Mr Eno as saying. The Policy and Politics’ report is authored by Etim Etim, the paper’s publisher and editor-in-chief.

Mr Etim, a former editorial board member at the Guardian newspaper, is a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Akwa Ibom.

Governor Eno spoke in the wake of his predecessor’s recent visit to the state, where some politicians, including his aides, trooped to the airport to welcome him, with some accompanying the former governor to his country home in Onna Local Government Area, where he came for the burial of his late cousin.

Mr Emmanuel, who was recently inaugurated as a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Convention Committee, was visiting the state for the first time after his successor, Mr Eno, whom he helped to become governor, defected from the PDP to the APC.

The reception accorded to Mr Emmanuel during the visit by aides of Governor Eno, who had also served under the former governor, has sparked loyalty debates, prompting Policy and Politics to seek the governor’s reactions.

Defection, ‘Akwa Ibom United’

Before defecting to the APC, Mr Eno played down party politics, saying that political parties are merely vehicles for seeking elected offices.

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And after defection, he doubled down – integrating “Akwa Ibom United,” a phrase he used to refer to governance across party lines, into the APC slogan in the state.

However, this policy may have unsettled APC members, particularly members of the Senate President Godswill Akpabio’s camp, who have asked aides of Mr Eno, who had a fanfare reception for the former governor, to choose between Mr Eno and his predecessor.

“What I found most disturbing and concerning are the appointees of Gov Umo Eno who trooped out to welcome their former boss and rubbed it on our faces where their allegiance and loyalty stand. They stumbled over themselves to take selfies with the former governor and, without qualms, splashed (the photographs) in our faces on social media; their bodies may be with Governor Eno, but their hearts are with Mr Udom Emmanuel,” Anietie Ekong, a media aide to Mr Akpabio, wrote on Facebook about Mr Emmanuel’s visit.

Governor Eno confirmed to Policy and Politics that he had read the article written by Mr Akpabio’s aide.

“I have also read the piece, but I do not like this culture of people always vilifying people who are not on our side,” the paper quoted Governor Eno as saying about the article.

I will not fight my boss – Eno

Mr Eno served as a commissioner in Mr Emmanuel’s cabinet before the latter unveiled him as his preferred successor.

Mr Eno has said that he informed Mr Emmanuel, whom he usually referred to as “my political father,” about his defection to the APC. He has also said at different fora that he has no rift with Mr Emmanuel. He reiterated it in the interview with Mr Etim, when asked about his relationship with Mr Emmanuel.

“I will not fight my boss (referring to the former governor) or any leader,” he said, and added, “We are in good terms,” when asked if his predecessor was happy with him.

Asked if he was okay that some of his appointees were at the airport to receive the former governor last Thursday, 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.

“Going to the airport to greet our leaders openly is not a problem, but the problem is those who do so secretly with ulterior motives. Let me be clear: Akwa Ibom State is now APC, and by the grace of God, nothing will change that. Meekness does not mean weakness; our people know the truth that we are serving them wholeheartedly. The records speak for themselves.

READ ALSO: Ex-Gov Emmanuel’s visit to Akwa Ibom unsettles Akpabio’s camp

They call it politics, but it is deceit of the highest order, and must not be given a chance to thrive in our polity. This is what destroys friendships and relationships,” Mr Eno said.

PREMIUM TIMES contacted Mr Eno’s spokesperson, Ekerete Udoh, for comments on the matter, but he hung up the call as soon as our reporter started talking. He did not take further calls from the reporter.