Pastor Umo Eno, Hon. Commissioner for Lands and Water Resources, unveiled as Governor Udom Emmanuel preferred successor.
• I am still in the race – Onofiok Luke
• I was not in the meeting- Akan Okon
By Abasifreke Effiong
After several speculations and denials, Akwa Ibom State Governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel, has settled for one of his Commissioners, Mr. Umo Eno, as his preferred successor.
Mr. Eno, is serving in the State Executive Council as Commissioner for Lands and Water Resources.
At a stakeholders meeting held on Sunday 30th January, inside Government House, Uyo, Mr. Eno was presented by a former Governor, Obong Victor Attah to stakeholders, top echelon of PDP and the leadership of Maintain Peace Movement, Governor Emmanuel’s succession group.
Daily Sun correspondent, Mr. Joe Effiong, quoted the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Ekerette Udo, to have confirmed the unveiling of Mr. Eno as Governor Emmanuel’s preferred successor.
‘The governor announced that he (Eno) was the one God has revealed to him as the next governor of the State and he was unveiled to all the stakeholders from the three senatorial districts of the State by the former governor, Obong Victor Attah, who then commended the choice. It was an array of the political elders made up of Senators and House of Representatives members’, Udo is quoted as having said.
RELATED STORY : Umo Eno did not lobby for any appointment – Gov Emmanuel
Among the aspirants within the PDP who indicated interest in the governorship of the State in 2023, only Barr. Onofiok Luke, member representing Etinan federal constituency was present at the meeting where Mr. Eno was unveiled.
However, Barr. Luke was barred from speaking when Mr. Eno was announced, a source said.
“Governor Emmanuel who moderated the meeting denied Onofiok Luke the opportunity to speak when he raised his hand at the meeting”, a source who attended of the meeting said on condition of anonymity.
On why Luke was the only aspirant invited to the meeting, the source said “From the report available to us, that young man has consulted widely and extensively for the governorship. He has very wide acceptance.”
Barr. Onofiok Luke.
When contacted on phone, Barr. Luke said he was invited to the meeting by the Governor but he did not know the agenda.
“I was ambushed. I didn’t know the agenda of the meeting but I had to respect the governor and attend the meeting at the lodge on his invitation.
“For three good times I had raised my hand seeking to be allowed to speak but I was ignored”.
“I’m not against their endorsement; and I’m not against the elders of the State. But I’m saying the endorsement could have happened after proper consultation.”
“I went to Obong Attah and told him why didn’t you talk to all of us who are in this race? Why didn’t you talk to Senator Bassey Albert, why didn’t you talk to Akan Udofia; why didn’t you talk to Akan Okon; why didn’t you talk to James Iniama? Because it was Obong Attah that made the presentation (of Mr. Umo Eno) not the governor.”
“We would have loved their endorsement but that would have been after due consultation. We would love the endorsement by the elders of the State, but whoever they would endorse should be the choice of the majority of people in the State.”
Barr. said in spite of the endorsement of Mr. Umo Eno, by the Governor, he is still in the governorship race.
“For me as Onofiok Akpan Luke, I am in the race for the governorship. I am going to stand election on the platform of my party, the PDP. I am not part of that endorsement at all.”
“But I respect their views; I respect the opinion and choice of the Governor. I respect Obong Victor Attah and the opinion of the elders of the State. It is their choice. I only respect their opinion; but I am not in support of what they are doing.”
Another aspirant for the governorship who is the Hon. Commissioner for Economic Development and Ibom Deep Seaport, Mr. Akan Okon, said on phone that he was not in the meeting.
“I was not in the meeting”, Mr. Okon said.
Attempts to speak with other aspirants for the governorship were unsuccessful.
The telephone number of Senator Bassey Albert was switched off as of the time of filling this report. A media aide to Mr. Iniobong Essien, a new entrant into the race did not take his calls when our correspondent phoned to seek comment.
Until his appointment as Commissioner in 2020, Mr. Umo Eno, was the Governor of Royalty Hotels and Recreation Limited and Pastor at All Nation Christian Ministry International.
Mr. Eno is the also Chairman of the Committee on Agricultural Investment, and Chairman of the newly opened Akwa Ibom State FADAMA Microfinance Bank.
