By Edet Okpo
"Elections are over, and our kindred spirit must be renewed and deepened. We are all Akwa Ibomites first before politics. Politics therefore must not separate or sever the ties of our brotherhood and common heritage and aspirations, I pledge to you that I will be Governor for all Akwaibomites, irrespective of political persuasions or affiliations. I call on our people to come together, and let’s build a State where the pain of one Akwa Ibomite is the pain of all, and where the success of one Akwa Ibomite is the success for all. We have been too polarized by politics, This should not be" - Gov Umo Eno
The superscripted quote is an extract from the maiden speech of His Excellency, Pastor Umo Eno, on May 29, 2023. Because of our past, some persons then may have dismissed the governor's utterances as one of those things they've heard before from those in that position. How wrong they were!
One recent happening that has launched the Governor on local, national and international news headlines has been the magic with which he was able to pull together 104 critical stakeholders from Akwa Ibom State on a trip to Aso Rock, the country's seat of power, to meet with the President and Commander-in-Chief of Nigerian Armed Forces, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR.
That was on Friday, February 28, 2025. No gainsaying, the governor deserves both the publicity and accolades that this rare action has attracted from far and wide. It is hard to remember any living Akwa Ibom or Nigerian leader in recent history who has achieved this for the populist objective the meeting with the president was meant. None, in my books.
This commendable feat by His Excellency further proves him to be a man of his words and also reminds us of related clairvoyant statements in his maiden speech as the 5th democratically elected governor of the State. Standing on the podium on May 29, 2023, the Man with ecclesiastical responsibilities assured jubilant Akwa Ibom people that they should have no fear. He was coming to serve not to divide them. He was bringing fresh and rare dimensions into both governance and politics.
And from the word go, Pastor Umo Eno has lived this promise as exemplified in his administration's trajectory of inclusivity, policy thrust, and realistic projections for holistic growth, starting from the grassroots
But the recent action of assembling Akwa Ibom eggheads across party lines and diverse sectors for the Abuja trip has launched the governor's name in the Hall of Fame. I personally have critically studied the list to see the names and calibre of persons who were involved. It was nice to see, I must say. They cut across select members of all the political parties in the State, the church, academia, the traditional institution, private sector, tribes, etc. I also noticed that amongst them were big time political gladiators and opponents who in the last one decade may have seen no reason to shake hands or exchange embraces with each other even in the best possible opportunities. But Governor Umo Eno performed the miracle of helping them sheath their swords, bringing them together for a common purpose in conclusive advantage to the greater Akwa Ibom Project.
The governor's speech to the president on behalf of the delegation adequately revealed his vision, personality, leadership style and greater plans for Akwa Ibom State. According to the governor, there were two major requests to the president. One was the need to facilitate efforts and processes towards making the long delayed Ibom Deep Seaport become a reality, years after it had been envisioned. The second was a humble plea to the president to further extend the tentacles of appointments of more Akwa Ibom persons into critical positions at the federal level, in spite of political parties they belong.
That Umo Eno chose to table these people-oriented needs before the president was a textbook demonstration of how much he yearns for the growth and development of the State and her people, not himself for any reason. He didn't lead the delegation there to champion any personal political cause or agenda but to tell the president, Sir, here we are in one voice soliciting your blessings and approval on behalf of the over 7million Akwa Ibomites. This is the hallmark of a selfless leader who is not after his own personal advantages or interests.
The trip also highlighted developments in the political arena back in Akwa Ibom State. It wasn't a self-serving drama to attract praises or curry favour from the president, as some cynics and blind critics have insinuated. It can't be forgotten in a hurry that during the 2024 Christmas, Governor Umo Eno was arguably the only governor in the country to have extended Christmas goodwill to political parties. In particular, on behalf of his Government, he donated thousands of bags rice to members of the State's Chapter of the All Progress Congress. This is something that never happened in the State, hitherto.
His speech during the meeting with the president reiterated this fact and further proved his borderless approach to political integration and impact.
"We must build bridges, we must form partnerships across party lines to deliver the dividends of democracy.
Elections are over. Political parties are platforms to contest. When you contest and God brings you through, you must understand that you have to reach out to people and work together. No one man has the monopoly of knowledge. By the grace of God I am the governor of Akwa Ibom State and Akwa Ibom includes all of us, so leadership must show that ability to bend over backwards and align", he told newsmen on the sidelines of the visit.
Governor Eno has always reaffirmed his resolve to align with stakeholders for the common good of the state and the readiness of members of the National Assembly to work with the State Government devoid of political devides. He said this underpins the President’s seriousness with the Akwa Ibom project, making the governor a model of bipartisanship in propelling collective interest. In other words, he was saying that neither himself, the national assembly- and even the Presidency - can work successfully as Senate islands. They must be synergy and mutual understanding to FasTrack achievements Iin service delivery.
But there is more to it. The governor, by his innovative initiatives and inclusive template of leadership, has brought the opposition in the State into one common family with the objectives of promoting and sustaining democracy, contributing ideas for the growth and development of the State, having confidence in the government, and sharing freely in the knowledge transfer and commonwelth of the State. The governor knows no tribe nor tongue than the common language of liberty, growth and togetherness all Akwa Ibomites with shared ancestry. With the emergence of Senator Akpabio as Senate President, we remember that Umo Eno, a PDP governor, had led the way in felicitations and solidarity visits in Abuja. He did same on the SP's birthday.
This, amongst other things, accounts for the laudable peace and strides synonymous with the Arise Agenda blueprint. That perhaps explains why, today in the State, the word "opposition" is only mentioned for the sake of reference and record in tabulating a comprehensive list of political parties in the State. It is doubtful if by 2027, there shall exist in Akwa Ibom State any active opposition in the State. Umo Eno has already wooed them with quality actions and olive branches.
Another takeaway from the 104 assembly was the conspicuous presence of the Senate President and former governor of the State, Udom Emmanuel. That was after about nine long years. They reportedly were reconciled. Before this magical intervention by Umo Eno, the prevalent questions and wishes amongst the Akwa Ibom populace had been "when" and " how" any deal of reconciliation could be effected. But His Excellency has done it without boasting or making claims.
Not a few commentators have described this as a perfect show of inclusive leadership that aims at building up rather than tearing down. "Umo Eno is building solid bridges across physical and imaginary valleys," one commentator observed. This is no exaggeration.
As was clearly stated by the governor, "political parties are vehicles to attain power not to devide the people". We need no more evidence for this than to stand by him for walking the talk.
Amazed by the governor's pacifism and ability to unite his people, politicians from different platforms, coupled with the lofty developmental strides Akwa Ibom is known for, President Tinubu himself was highly impressed. That was obvious in his speech, body language, and promises to look into requests presented by the delegation. Moreso, when commendation comes from the person of the president, it cannot be taken lightly.
"You have a very good governor, and he has the fear of God and love for his people. I watch the Arise programme of the State, and have been following developments,” Tinubu stated. This testimonial is deserving. What now remains to be seen is how the generality of Akwa Ibom people, especially the political class, shall toe the line of peace, unity and togetherness in developing Akwa Ibom State, without tribal sentiments and profiling.
Thank you His Excellency for leading the way, and proving that anything and everything in the political domain was possible with the right heart attitude.
* Edet Okpo, a Media and Image Management Consultant is also the Editor-In-Chief of The Scorecard Magazine ( a medium that promotes accountability, transparency and impact in governance)
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