Supreme Court Victory: Eno Commends Tinubu, Akpabio For Neutrality

Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has praised the non-partisan approach of the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led Federal Government toward all the cases against him in the courts.

He stated that the affirmation of his mandate as the duly elected Governor of Akwa Ibom State by the Supreme Court provides the necessary momentum to drive the ‘ARISE Agenda’ blueprint of his administration to its logical conclusion.

The Supreme Court dismissed petitions filed by Obong Akanimo Udofia of the APC, John AkpanUdoedehe of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), and Senator Basset Akpan of the Young Progressives Party (YPP) regarding the March 18, 2023 governorship election.

Addressing citizens and stakeholders in the state at the Government House Chapel in Uyo, shortly after the Supreme Court verdict, Governor Eno expressed gratitude to God, the Church community, the people of the state, and leaders for their unwavering support during the election and legal proceedings.

Governor Eno commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Senate President Senator Godswill Akpabio for their leadership and neutrality. He appreciated their support for the independence of the Judiciary by prioritising national and state interests over divisive party politics.

The governor also praised the Judiciary for upholding its role as the last hope of the common man, contributing to the credibility of Nigeria’s democracy.

He said: “We would like to thank all Akwa Ibom people for the overwhelming support since they gave us that mandate on March 18, 2023, particularly the people in the rural communities. I have to thank the Church for their consistent prayers for this mandate. I thank you the Press too for the work you have done. Our joy knows no bounds.

“I thank President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, I thank the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio and I thank my political father and boss, Deacon Udom Emmanuel for his support, his counsel in all of these. He encouraged me to remain calm and focused. So I thank him,”

Governor Eno considered the Supreme Court judgement significant, stating that it has reinvigorated his commitment to the ARISE Agenda. He stressed his team’s focus on delivering the dividends of democracy to the people of the state over the past seven months. The Governor called for unity among the Akwa Ibom people, urging everyone to work together for the state’s development based on the ARISE Agenda.

He encouraged collaboration with all citizens to build the state, stressing his readiness to work with individuals across party lines. Governor Eno concluded by highlighting the importance of collective efforts in advancing the prosperity and benefit of the people in the only Akwa Ibom State in Nigeria.

“I would like to call on all our brothers to come together. I believe that I have shown in many ways that we can work together. Now that they have exercised their rights to a fair hearing, I call on everyone to please come back and let’s work together. We have one Akwa Ibom. Whatever lofty programmes they had, we can sit together and look at it, provided it will bring benefit and prosperity to our people.

“This is my call, I hold no grudge or malice against anyone and I am prepared to work with our brothers and sisters across party lines. We have only one Akwa Ibom State in Nigeria.”