Gov Eno Denies Using EFCC To Seize Predecessor’s House

Akwa Ibom State governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has denied having any rift with his immediate predecessor and political godfather, Deacon Udom Emmanuel, ahead of the 2027 general elections, in which he is seeking reelection.

The governor made the clarification in response to allegations levelled against him by the governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Senator John James Akpanudoehe.
The ADC candidtate calimed that Eno is having a running battle with Emmanuel.

Addressing journalists in his country home in Uyo, the state capital, over the weekend, after flagging off his campaign, the former minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), alleged that the governor was using the anti-graft agency to haunt the man who braved all the odds to bring him to power in 2023.
He recalled that “Governor Eno used to kneel and beg former Governor Emmanuel” in the run-up to becoming the governor, but regretted that such respect had been politically jettisoned as both have returned to different trenches in the supremacy battle, following the governor’s defection on 6th June, 2026.

But in his response, the governor denied the allegations, especially that he fought his predecessor.

“I make bold to say that I have never reported anyone, not to mention my predecessor in office, to the EFCC. I stand to be challenged or contradicted,” the governor stated.

In addition, the Information Commissioner, Dr Aniekan Umanah, dismissed the allegation as unfounded, stating that “this categorical position underscores the baseless nature of the allegation.”

“The attention of the Akwa Ibom State Government has been drawn to a recent social media video in which Senator John James Akpanudoedehe made grave and completely unsubstantiated allegations against Governor Umo Eno and former Governor Udom Emmanuel, including the claim that the Governor caused the EFCC to seize the former Governor’s Lagos residence.

“For the avoidance of doubt, Governor Umo Eno has never reported anyone to the EFCC. The facts of Governor Eno’s conduct speak for themselves. He has consistently demonstrated respect for his predecessors and made genuine efforts towards reconciliation, including facilitating engagements at the highest levels of government in the country in the interest of peace and political harmony,” Umanah stressed.