Ahead of his crucial re-election for second term in 2027, Akwa Ibom State governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has claimed that Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) moles cloaked in the garb of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) at the centre, were surreptitiously fighting to usurp his political structure to truncate his return bid to the Hilltop Mansion.
He described most of his appointees who defected with him to the APC on June 6, 2025, as wolves in sheep’s clothing, warning that their betrayal antics would be nibbed in the bud at the appropriate time.
“You fight structure, fight structure, what are you going to do with my structure?” he queried, recalling that successive governors had passed through the same political racketeering by mischief makers, but warned he would not tolerate such shenanigans coming from his supposed loyalists.
Although he had earlier said, “I don’t have power like Wike.” (the FCT minister) To fight for structure, the apparently agitated governor said he would personally test the loyalty of his appointees by taking inventory of authentic loyalists who truly defected with him to the APC through their membership cards in various wards.
The governor bared his mind at a special interdenominational thanksgiving service to mark the 38th anniversary of the State’s creation, held at the International Christian Worship Centre (ICWC), Udoudoma Avenue, Uyo, the State capital, at the weekend.
He advised those he described as his political detractors to repent, warning that he would not brook any opposition to his second-term bid.
“Most of you (the appointees) attend the APC meeting in the day and in the night you attend that of PDP,” he disclosed, adding that he has spread monitoring tentacles round the state, to ascertain those playing double game in the march towards 2027.
Vowing to storm such nucturnal meetings personally to expose those playing parallel politics, Eno vowed to resist such efforts. He added that he was on a mission to build a United State of Akwa Ibom but wondered why the leftists continue to sing divided tones.
He, therefore, urged the people to forgive one another and eschew unnecessary acrimony capable of truncating the peace and unity of the state.
“Let’s come together in love, forgive one another and let us move together. Let us plan and work for the common good of our state. That is my earnest desire. When I see people come together like this, irrespective of political parties, it gives me joy. Every patriotic citizen should be interested in the state, show some patriotism. That is what I think this unity is about.
“Let us rise above ethnicity. This is a clarion call; rise above ethnicity, rise above parochialism, deep-seated hatred. You will not have any other state apart from this one. We have only one united Akwa Ibom. I took over the United States of Akwa Ibom, and such shall I hand over, nothing shall divide us,” Eno stressed.
He underscored the value of every leader’s contributions in the past, committing to continued collaboration with past leaders, showing respect for their services and honouring their legacies.
The governor commended the great sense of unity, maturity and understanding shown by the leadership of the various political parties in the state, and also appreciated past leaders and stakeholders for turning up for the event.
Governor Eno thanked the people for their steadfastness, support and unwavering belief in the state to achieve greater impact and reminded the people of the ongoing INEC voters’ registration, urging them to get registered in readiness for the elections “when the time comes.”
