February 17, (THEWILL) – The Speaker of Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Aniekan Bassey, has described the recently anointed candidate for the seat of Governor of the state come 2023, Pastor Umoh Eno, as a very focused man who is filled with entrepreneurial spirit.
The Speaker stated this on Wednesday, when he played host to the Governorship hopeful and his campaign team at his residence in Osongama Housing Estate, Uyo.
Throwing his weight behind the preferred successor by the incumbent, Mr Udom Emmanuel, Bassey, pointed out that members of the State House of Assembly had since resolved to support the succession plan of Governor Udom Emmanuel, stressing that Pastor Umo Eno is a skilled entrepreneur who will foster development in the state if elected.
The Speaker said he always prayed for God to present to Akwa Ibom, a man who will work with focus in addition to being imbued with entrepreneurial spirit to move the state to the next level
“My prayer always was that God should present to us a man who will be focused with entrepreneurial spirit, because we are going to a new level of development of Akwa Ibom State. Today that prayer has been answered.
“Pastor Eno as an individual, has created massive employment for youths in the state, he will consolidate on Governor Emmanuel’s industrialisation and entrepreneurial drive when elected.
“Over the years, he has contributed immensely to the state by creating jobs for the youths. He is also one of the successful business men in the state, despite being a son of a nobody.
“Pastor Umo Eno is a motivation to the younger generation. On my own, I endorse his governorship aspiration based on his capacity and competence. I also appeal to my colleagues to support him”, he maintained.
The lawmaker, who is representing Uruan State Constituency, further described Eno as a man with wider knowledge both on entrepreneurs and tourism, which will turn Akwa Ibom to a destination for tourists in the country and the world over.
He emphasised that his endorsement of Pastor Umoh is not because the people have come to consult him as the Speaker of Akwa Ibom State or as a friend and brother to Eno, but because Pastor Umoh has all the qualities of a leader, humble and focused, which are what is needed from a good leader.
He urged Akwa Ibom people to eschew negative sentiments and assess Pastor Eno based on his intellectual capacity and competence to lead the state.
“People should assess the governorship aspirant based on his capacity and competency and not because he was anointed by the state Governor.
“Let us all focus on the aspirant’s intellectual capacity and wealth of knowledge that will be of benefit to the state”, the Speaker added.
Earlier, the Director General (DG), Umo Eno Governorship Campaign Organisation, Ambassador Assam Assam, said the essence of the visit was to seek the endorsement of the lawmakers, assuring that Pastor Eno will not disappoint Akwa Ibom people if given the chance.
On his part, the Governorship aspirant and Commissioner for Lands and Water Resources, Pastor Umo Eno, said if elected, he will ensure rural development and also boost industrialisation in the state.
He described the 7th Assembly as the most peaceful in the history of the state Assembly and vowed to consolidate on the foundation of peace and industrialisation built by the Speaker and the Governor in the State.
Others who spoke during the visit included the National Coordinator of the Maintain Peace Movement, Barr Emmanuel Enoidem and Senator Effiong Bob.
