January 31, (THEWILL) – As the race for the next occupant of the Hilltop Mansion in Akwa Ibom State gathers momentum, Governor Udom Emmanuel, yesterday endorsed the State Commissioner for Lands and Water Resources, Pastor Umo Eno, as his successor in 2023.
The breaking news was that Stakeholders of Akwa Ibom State had chosen the Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Lands and Water Resources, Pastor Umo Eno, as the successor of governor Udom Emmanuel in the 2023 governorship race after an extraordinary meeting in Government House, Uyo with the fathers of faith.
The development was confirmed by the National Chairman of Maintain Peace Movement, MPM, Barr Emmanuel Enoidem, in a media briefing in Uyo on Sunday, 30th January 2022.
MPM is a political group inaugurated to drive the Completion Agenda and the succession plan of the incumbent Governor.
Barr Enoidem noted that the choice of Pastor Umo Eno came after a series of consultations with relevant Stakeholders in the state and prayers to God to reveal the right individual that will continue on the legacies of Governor Udom Emmanuel.
“So, God has revealed to our dear Governor, Udom Emmanuel that Pastor Umo Eno will be the right person to succeed him after his tenure in 2023,” Enoidem disclosed.
He added that the choice of Umo Eno is a dream come true for the organisation (Maintain Peace Movement), which has been praying for God to give Akwa Ibom a successor like Udom Emmanuel, who will perpetuate and sustain the peace in the state.
The MPM helmsman likened the choice of Umo Eno as the chosen one to the emergence of Governor Udom Emmanuel who was chosen by God for Akwa Ibom people in 2015.
“We all know that Udom Emmanuel was not the most popular politician in 2015 when he was brought to us by God to contest for the position, but he got the acceptability of the people and finally emerged the Governor of the state in 2015 and 2019. So, it is the grace of God and His will also that Umo Eno should succeed Udom Emmanuel and we stand by that,” Enoidem recalled.
Enoidem described Umo Eno as a man after God’s heart, who has also found favour in the side of God, Governor Udom Emmanuel and the people of the state.
While noting that Umo Eno is the most qualified with an intimidating pedigree and antecedents as a renowned entrepreneur, the immediate past National Legal Adviser of PDP, revealed that Umo Eno is humble and also understands the plight of Akwa Ibom people as a human development expert.
Reacting to yesterday’s event, Arch. Ezekiel Nya-Etok ADC 2023 Governorship Hopeful, and visionary: Social Governance Ideology called on other aspirants to submit to the choice of the governor as he has the fundamental right to choose who succeeds him.
“To my brothers, Inoyo, Onofiok, Iniama, Oba, the Akans, etc, the Governor had the choice to stay neutral, or to have a preference. He has made his choice, and it is his fundamental right so to do. You also have your choice: to align, as you should respect the right of the Governor or meet them on the field. Just as much he also MUST respect your right to agree to disagree with him.”
“To our supporters, this is NOT the time for disparaging publications, insults, falsehoods, and sickening sycophantic publications, but the time to dig deep and ‘sell’ your masters (paid or believers) to the public.” He stated.
“However,I will strongly advise that you keep your eyes on the ball as there are still primaries of your party that will greatly determine the strength of the army that you will use to face the real election battle.” Etuk advised.
Herbert Batta PhD, a lecturer in the department of mass communication, University of Uyo, questioned the sanity of the handpicked successor, recalling that before his appointment as a commissioner, Umo Eno was reportedly awarded a contract, to rework Idua road in Eket, a town he lives in, has his businesses and church; but he messed up the road, made it worse, and abandoned it.
“Did the government fail to fund the contract? Did the govt reward him with an appointment? Does the govt want him to succeed? Or does the government want the party and people to do with it what they did with Obong Attah over his son in law? Recall, that’s how Akpabio emerged though Akpabio imposed his successor, will Udom be successful?” Batta questioned.
In his reaction, Barr. Onofiok Luke, member representing Etinan Federal Constituency of the state and governorship hopeful on the same PDP platform stated that though he is not against the choice of the Governor, which incidentally is from his local government area; his aspiration to serve the state in the capacity as the Governor remains on course.
Luke however urged his teeming supporters and those sympathetic to his cause to remain resolute as ever as he is in the desire to give the people purposeful leadership in the office of the Governor come 2023.
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