By Ogenyi Ogenyi,Uyo
Senior Special Assistant to the Akwa Ibom State Governor on Research and Documentation, Mr. Essien Ndueso has described as untrue, speculations that ex Governor Udom Emmanuel has withheld the state government’s official jet.
This is even as he has said that Governor Umo Eno is living up to his promises of encouraging the state government’s investments to thrive and expand to meet up the demands of the present economic realities in the country.
Ndueso, who was reacting to speculations that Governor Eno resorted to flying with Ibom Air because the former Governor was still keeping the Governor’s official private jet described such allegations in a radio interview in Uyo yesterday as a “frivolous beer parlour gist aimed at tarnishing the image of the former Governor” urged the public to discountenance such allegations , as they were with no iota of truth.
He explained that Emmanuel, despite being the immediate past Governor and former boss to the current Governor, has not shown any overbearing attitude to his successor, but even came to declare during the State dialogue that there can only be one leader at a time in the State, being Governor Eno.
“Recall that Mr Udom Emmanuel was the one who told everyone to support the Governor as the new leader of the State. Others would be coming to government house everyday, or even lodge in the Government House guest house, but the immediate past Governor has kept his promise by returning to his private practice, allowing His Excellency the incumbent Governor to freely run the business of government. ” He stated.
The Governor’s aide explained that Eno’s decision to fly Ibom Air was a simple way of telling the story of Ibom Air, and urged those spreading falsehood on the matter with the aim of tarnishing the image of the Governor and his predecessor to desist from such acts.
“The entire country has come to appreciate Mr Umo Eno as a simple and down to earth leader who has not allowed the aura of his position to have a negative influence on his humble nature.
“The Governor has told his people that he in appointing aides, he is not appointing aides that will carry his umbrella and phones since he is carrying them himself, but he would rather appoint people with capacity to add value to his administration.
“Even at the airport, you could see him subjecting himself to thorough check and other other airport procedures, and that is because he wishes to lead by example. Such actions should not be misinterpreted, but seen as actions that make him more connected to his people.” Ndueso concluded.
