In light of the recent controversy surrounding an anonymous All Progressives Congress (APC), group which sought to involve the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) in investigating the financial records of former Governor Udom Emmanuel during his tenure as governor of Akwa Ibom State, his successor, Pastor Umo Eno, has pledged to waive his immunity and submit to any investigation if necessary.
In an interview monitored in Uyo, the state capital, on recent political developments, including his rumoured plan to defect to APC, the governor said he was clearly focusing on running his administration with utmost fidelity based on absolute transparency, accountability and due process.
He expressed grave disappointment in mischief makers, who, he recalled, had been in the habit of running down every political leader of the state—Obong Victor Attah (1999-2007), Chief Godswill Akpabio (2007-2015), and now his immediate predecessor and godfather, Mr. Udom Emmanuel (2015-2023).
According to the governor, some pedestrian critics overheated the polity to soil his relationship with President Bola Tinubu, the Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and his political godfather, Mr Emmanuel.
Since he assumed office on May 29, 2023, the governor has recalled having succeeded in building a bipartisan relationship with the centre. Such affiliations, in spite of political party differences, have yielded many socio-economic benefits to the state. He has urged those stoking the embers of discord to sheath their swords.
Advising against insulting leaders for political reasons, the governor said: ‘’He (Akpabio) is our son, and despite party differences, we shall continue to support him and encourage him to do more for Akwa Ibom state.”
“I know that there are other leaders who have a thing or two against the Senate President; I know that even within the same party, we do not see eye-to-eye with others, but we cannot continue to live under the dictum of an eye for an eye; otherwise we will all go blind,” he stressed.
He vowed that no amount of political subterfuge would pressure him into running a politically suffocating administration that would keep him at loggerheads with the Senate President and other leaders, stressing that Akwa Ibom cannot remain a pariah state under his watch.
‘’My personal philosophy is that I do not hate anybody based only on what I have been told, and I do not inherit anybody’s enemies,’’ the governor added.
He emphasised that he was also very respectful of President Bola Tinubu and Minister Ekperikpe Ekpo and that he would always collaborate with them for the benefit of the state.
‘’Any detractor who feels I should be fighting with our leaders should look elsewhere. As far as Akwa Ibom State is concerned, I will work with all leaders,” he added.
