Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Information, Rt. Hon. Aniekan Umanah has dismissed rumours that Governor Umo Eno of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was plotting to defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The speculations followed Governor Eno’s frequent overtures to the centre and endorsement of President Bola Tinubu and Senate President Godswill Akpabio for second terms respectively.
Contrary to this insinuation, Umanah has given insight into the inter-party mutual alliance between the state and the federal governments.
According to him, “Governor Umo Eno’s support for President Bola Tinubu and Senate President Godswill Akpabio, is a strategic act of enlightened State interest, aimed at unlocking federal collaboration for the benefit of the people of Akwa Ibom.”
Speaking in an interview monitored in Uyo, the State capital, Umanah emphasised that “the Governor’s recent open endorsement of the President and other key federal leaders is not about partisanship, but a pragmatic step to foster cooperation and attract federal interventions to the state.”
He noted that, “This growing synergy has already begun yielding visible benefits and will further facilitate key initiatives like the Ibom Deep Seaport, Ecological Remediation, amongst others.”
Umanah described Governor Eno’s support for President Tinubu and Senator Akpabio as a well-considered move rooted in the best interest of Akwa Ibom State.
“These leaders have shown clear goodwill toward our State and have publicly acknowledged the Governor’s exceptional performance. This is leadership with foresight,” he added.
Umanah noted that President Tinubu; Vice President Kashim Shettima, and Senate President Akpabio have on multiple occasions commended Eno’s development strides, which have continued to earn national attention and respect.
Highlighting the Governor’s accomplishments in just 23 months, the information commissioner praised what he called Pastor Eno’s scientific and methodical approach to governance, anchored on the Arise Agenda.
He noted that the agenda is a people-centric development blueprint that has transformed agriculture, rural development, infrastructure, security, and education, and several humanitarian interventions.
“From May 29, 2023, the Governor hit the ground running. He is not just making promises, he is delivering on them. Across the State, we see road construction projects, both inherited and new ones being executed.
“We are witnessing the establishment of well-equipped model schools and modern health centres in rural and urban communities alike, along with structured citizen empowerment initiatives that are transforming lives at the grassroots,” he stated.
