2027: Gov Eno Denies Alleged Plan To Drop Deputy

Akwa Ibom State governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has denied alleged plot to alter his reelection ticket in the run – up to the governorship poll early next year, maintaining that the incumbent deputy, Senator Akon Eyakenyi, still remains in the picture for the 2027 political card.

LEADERSHIP gathered speculations have been rife that there would be a change in the ticket going into the second term with Dr. Eyakenyi, already out of favour to go another four years with her principal, Eno.

Our correspondent gathered surreptitious plans were being brewed allegedly by the Senate President Godswill Akpabio, to impose his long term loyalist – the director of projects and the Akwa Ibom State representative on the board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Sir Victor Antai, in her stead.

Antai, a former Mbo local government chairman, and later commissioner for culture and tourism, before resigning to follow his boss, Akpabio to the central rulling All Progressives Congress (APC), it was learnt, has a cult – like following within and outside the geo – polity of Oron federal constituency, the more reason observers believed would be considered to replace her kinswoman, Dr. Eyakenyi, in the next political dispensation.

But the governor was quick to deny, saying he has no reason to ditch her loyal deputy for another running mate, disclosing that since she emerged as his deputy in 2023, Mrs. Eyakenyi, never had cause to oppose his decisions both official and unofficial in the course of running the state.

Speaking at the 80th birthday ceremony of Mr. Etim Eyakenyi, husband to the deputy governor on Sunday, Pastor Eno, vowed he was not under any pressure to alter the 2023 formation for any reason.

Dismissing the speculation as unfounded, the governor maintained, “Akon Eyakenyi, has not disappointed me. Not one day. If you make me governor 10 times, she will be my deputy governor 10 times.”