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Tag: Gov. Udom Emmanuel

  • Terrorism: Gov Emmanuel tasks NIS on new approaches

    Terrorism: Gov Emmanuel tasks NIS on new approaches

    Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom has called on the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) to invent new approaches to protect Nigerians, saying such innovations would check several acts of terrorism currently perpetuated in the country.

    Emmanuel who made the appeal on Thursday in Uyo during a Stakeholders’ Sensitization programme on the Nigeria Visa Policy Document (NVP 2020) organised by the state command of the NIS, said a robust and proactive Immigration Service can be used to forestall terrorist attacks.

    The Governor who was represented by his deputy, Mr Moses Ekpo at the occasion commended the snergy between security agencies in the state and urged the Service to take a cue from the Unites States, which have made their Immigration Service part of their Department of Homeland Affairs to prevent a repeat of the September 11, 2001 terrorists attack.

    “The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) is a critical member of the Nigerian Security architecture. In most of the advanced world, it is part of the first line of national defence, given the critical role it plays in admitting visitors through various ports of entries in those nations.

    “In today’s world of asymmetric security situations, the seemingly innocent visitor you may have admitted into your country may be part of a terrorist sleeper cell. Such a visitor may have been sent by his or her sponsors with the expressed and evil command to cause a breach of public peace through acts of terrorism.

    “The need therefore, for the Immigration Service to meet regularly, explore new approaches of protecting the nation, and thinking, anticipating and disrupting such evil designs has become even more urgent and imperative.” He explained.

    Addressing the sensitization meeting, the acting Comptroller-General (CG) of Immigration, Isah Idris, represented by the Owerri Zonal Coordinator, ACG Ejiogu, said the Nigeria Visa Policy (NVP 2020) is an ambitious document that would transform the economy of the country.

    ” In the document, we have expanded Visa classes from mere six to 79 classes in three new categories of Short Visit Visa (28 classes), Temporary Residence Visa (36 classes) and Permanent Residence Visa (15 classes).

    “The major highlight of the document is that we now have Visa classes for every conceivable purpose of travel unlike before when we issue only business or work Visa to anyone desirous of coming into the country.” Idris explained.

    The CG who said that Akwa Ibom is rated the Second Best State in the attraction of Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs) rating after Lagos stressed that such could not have been possible without the enormous efforts of the state government.

    He said there was however the need for increased collaboration for a more responsive and enduring security arrangement for the Blue Border areas of the state.

    Akwa Ibom State Controller, George Didel in a remark bemoaned the high rate of human trafficking and crime of harvesting human parts in the state and pledged to redouble effort to tackle illegal migration in the state.

    Didel also informed the public of an existence of ECOWAS passport which could enable them do businesses around West African Countries.

    “A lot of people do not know of ECOWAS passport which could nelp you travel round West African Countries. It is most convenient to acquire because you can get in within few hours. You don’t have to wait for the standard Nigerian Passport which may take a minimum of three weeks for renewal and six weeks for new one.” He said.

  • N150b Loan: Expert carpets Gov Emmanuel’s explanations

    N150b Loan: Expert carpets Gov Emmanuel’s explanations

    A financial expert and Head of Economics Department in the University of Uyo, Prof Emmanuel Onwioduokit has attacked Governor Udom Emmanuel over his explanation that the controversial N150b was not a loan but Strategy to create money..

    Residents and indegenes had expressed displeasure when the Governor sought for an approval from the State Assembly for a N150b loan facility a forth night ago, one week after he also sought for another approval for a N45b loan.

    Matters came to a head when House Leader and member representing Oruk Anam State Constituency, Mr Udo Akpan while defending the Emmanuel claimed that the Governor was using his banking experience to create money from the money market.

    But Onwuodiokit told correspondents in Uyo on Wednesday that Emmanuel should be open to Akwa Ibom people to enable them understand his direction and be properly positioned to support government activities and programmes.

    According to him, “no state government can create money through instrument. Any form of instrument that a state issue is a debt because it would involve a payback with interest, to that extent, it is a loan. Only the private sector can issue equity and shares, that makes you an owner with the company.”

    Onwioduokit who blamed the number of abandoned road projects on the mode of contract awards and government’s alleged inability to open up to the people, said it was impossible to prosecute defaulting contractors who were not subjected to proper processes of bidding before being awarded contracts.

    “Why are the roads not being bidded for? why do they sit down and allocate contract to their friends? Even the procurement law requires bidding and competition before contract award. The state is further deprived by the shoddy approach to contract award because even the bidding process would have attracted some revenue to the state.

    “The likelihood now is that when you friend whom you awarded the contract without due process defaults, you cannot prosecute them. Are there ongoing court cases to recover funds from defaulting contractors? We do not even know how much was unvolved in all the projects across the state.”

    He decried the state’s N400b debt profile and challenged the Governor to defend the N18b borrowed for installation of CTVV cameras in the state.

    “This same government borrowed the sum of N18b for installation of CTVV Cameras across the state to help in the fight against criminality. Where are the cameras? where were they installed? what happened to the money?” He queried

  • Gov Emmanuel to drop five more Commissioners in latest Exco shake up

    Gov Emmanuel to drop five more Commissioners in latest Exco shake up

    Governor Udom Emmanuel has said that five more commissioners would be dropped from the State Executive Council after this week’s resignation of two commissioners for political reasons.

    A statement from the state information commissioner Mr Ini Ememobong after a State Executive Council meeting in Uyo yesterday also said that names of new commissioners would be forwarded to the House of Assembly for screening and clearance.

    Though names of the five commissioners to be eased out has not been made public it is believed that Dr Glory Edet(Agriculture), Barr Prince Akpabio (Trade and Investment) would get the axe to enable them pursue their political career.

    Others also expected to be eased out for political reasons would include Chief Okpulupm Etteh (Special Duties & Aviation), Prof Enoh Ibanga (Works) and Mr Umoh Eno (Lands and Water Resources)

    The statement said that Council also reviwed the ongoing strike by the Nigerian Union of Teachers and directed that the relevant ministries should take necessary steps to solve the problem immediately while a meeting with the Leadership of the Union was immediately scheduled.

    The meeting also received an update on all ongoing projects by the various supervising Commissioners who were charged to ensure speedy completion of the jobs under their care and to submit the dates for commissioning of all their projects.

    Update on the implementation of the Human Resource Management System Project was presented by the Head of the Civil Service, who praised the system for its effectiveness in administering the Civil Service.

  • 2023: Groups warn Senator, ex- CoS, against blackmailing Gov Emmanuel

    2023: Groups warn Senator, ex- CoS, against blackmailing Gov Emmanuel

    As the furore over governor Udom Emmanuel’s decision to hand-pick the Commissioner for Lands and Water Resources, Pastor Umo Eno, as his would-be successor in 2023 continues, a coalition of youth groups have warned those opppsed to the Governor’s choice to maintain decorum and stop blackmailing him.

    This followed derogatory comments allegedly made at a rally organized by the youths of Eket Senatorial District on Saturday in honour of Senator Bassey Albert Akpan, who is seeking to succeed incumbent governor Udom Emmanuel by a former Chief of Staff, CoS, Mr Ephraim Inyang-eyen, who was controversialy relieved of his appointnent last month and who denounced any divine revelation claims by the Governor about his successor.

    The groups, Uyo Senatorial District Media Practitioners Forum, USDMPF, and its Eket counterpart, Association of Eket Senatorial District Media Professionals, AESDMP, at a joint press conferebce in Uyo yesterday, dismissed the accusations, describing them as “a mere entitlement mentality”.

    The Chairman, Elder Ofonime Isong, addressed journalists on behalf of the Uyo group, while Comrade Jeremiah Edoho, spoke for the Eket group.

    “Mr Ephraim Inyang-eyen alluded that in 2014, Senator Akpan, stepped down for govetnor Emmanuel and that it is time to be compensated. This is a tissue of lie, and an attempt to review history. It begs to ask, if it was the turn of Eket zone to produce the governor in 2015, is it logical to for Senator Akpan to claim that he stepped down for the governor in 2014?

    “Secondly, Mr Inyangeyen, erroneously said that in 2019, Akpan, was the only Senator who supported governor Emmanuel, when his other colleagues from Ikot Ekpene and Eket, had deserted the governor by joining the opposition APC. This again, is deceptive to mislead the collective psyche of the people and attempt to blackmail the governor”, Isong stressed.

    They urged the feuding parties to desist from further overheating the polity as, according to them, the Governor has right to make his choice, adding that such decision does foreclose the chances of any aspirant from trying his luck.

    Inyangeyen had told the crowd that “God never revealed Pastor Eno, to governor Emmanuel”, and urged the governor to reciprocate the good gesture to him by Senator Akpan, who stood down for him in the 2014 governorship primary and supported his re-election in 2019.

    Besides, Akpan, who recalled the two cases, said it was wrong for the governor not to reward gestures as the governorship slot return to the Uyo Senatorial District, in 2023.

    He told the youths that he would not jettison his ambition again, no matter whos Ox was gored and, therefore, urged the youths to remain resolute as events unfold.

  • PDP statutory delegates dare Gov Emmanuel, endorse Onofiok Luke for governor

    PDP statutory delegates dare Gov Emmanuel, endorse Onofiok Luke for governor

    Statutory delegates comprising select ward and chapter officers, former elected officers of the People Democratic Party (PDP) in Akwa Ibom have dared the state government as they came out publicly to endorse a former speaker of the State Assembly, Barr. Onofiok Luke, for governor in 2023.

    The delegates, on the platform of Great Supporters of Onofiok Luke, and numbering more than 250 said they have resolved to support Luke for the governorship in 2023 irrespective of the antics of the state government to unprecedentedly endorse one aspirant.

    Mr. Abraham Udoekong, spokesperson for the group, said when they paid a solidarity visit to his campaign office in Uyo yesterday said that they have seen in the former Speaker and current member of the National Assembly the capacity, character, love for the people, ideas and passion to drive economic and social development of the State.

    “We are taking this bold step for the general good of our state. We started mobilising ourselves for the Onofiok Luke’s governorship project in 2020; today we have mobilised delegates to come here and endorse Onofiok Luke. We believe in him, we will vote for him.” Udoekong said.

    The spokesperson maintained that they were not perturbed by recent political happenings in the state, insisting that their resolution to support Like, who is also the chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Judiciary at the party primary was absolute.

    Other members of the group who spoke at the meeting said it was time members of the PDP took their destiny in their hands by voting their conscience and not persons chosen for them.

    Addressing the group, the Director of Operations, Amazing Grace campaign organisation, Mr. Victor Brownson, thanked the delegates for coming out to publicly endorse the foremost aspirant.

    “There was a time we were looking for delegates; now delegates have seen the truth; they are now coming for Onofiok Luke.” Brownson said and reassured them that Luke would not betray the confidence reposed in him by the group and Akwa Ibom people.

    Receiving the PDP delegates on behalf of the aspirant and Amazing Grace campaign organisation, Mr Imo Udo, lauded them for bold action they had taken.

    “I thank you for adopting Barr. Onofiok Luke as your sole candidate for the governorship in 2023. Onofiok Luke is one man who is associated with good works and I believe that is why you want him to be governor of Akwa Ibom State. We need a good man on the saddle of governorship and Onofiok Luke has demonstrated in words and actions that he is a good man.” Udo said.

    Meanwhile, another group, Onofiok Luke Support Network led by Mr. Edemekong Edemekong, was also on hand to endorse Onofiok Luke for the 2023 governorship election saying, “we have seen the divine oil of anointing on Onofiok Luke’s forehead. Therefore, we have endorsed Onofiok Luke as our sole candidate for governorship.”

    Chapter coordinators of the group who spoke at the event Mr. Sylvanus Effiong, Mr. Abia Monday, Mr. Eyo Thompson Udo and Mr. Inyene Usungurua, commended Luke for keeping faith with Akwa Ibom people who yearned for him to be their governor in 2023.

  • Gov Emmanuel sacks Chief of Staff, Inyangeyen over Political squabble

    Gov Emmanuel sacks Chief of Staff, Inyangeyen over Political squabble

    Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom has sacked his once closest political ally and Chief of Staff Chief Ephraim Inyangeyen.

    Inyangeyen, once the governor’s strongest supporter and mobilizer has in recent times toed separate political lines which has pitched him against the latter while his recent public utterances suggested a wide gulf in their relationship.

    A statement from the Secretary to the State Government Dr Emmanuel Ekuwem Tuesday in Uyo said his sack is not unconnected to his inability to work in tandem with set goals of the present administration.

    “On behalf of His Excellency, the Governor, government and the good people of Akwa Ibom State, I write to convey to you His Excellency, the Governor’s profound appreciation of the worthy contributions you made to the development of our dear State while you served as Chief of Staff to the Governor.

    “However, given the urgent need to match skill set and competencies to the task of maintaining the momentum of economic development in peace, your services are no longer required and you are hereby relieved of your position, as Chief of Staff ( CoS) to His Excellency, the Governor with immediate effect.

    ” You are therefore directed to handover all property of government in your possession, to the Secretary to State Government.

    “Please, accept the assurances of His Excellency, the Governor’s goodwill and highest regards as you proceed to other endeavours.” The Statement said.

    The news of his sack may not however come as a suprise to many who have followed recent political development in the state especially in the ruling Peoples Democratic Party even as it was gathered that the state government last Sunday withdrew security orderlies attached to him.

    Deep cracks surfaced in their relationship when the duo began to toe separate political lines with the former COS supporting a serving Senator to succeed Emmanuel even as the governor has thrown his weight behind one of his commissioners.

    This is even as it appeared that the governor is opposed to his senatorial ambition after PDP elders in his senatorial district zoned the Senate position to another constituency outside his Eket Federal Constituency.

    Inyangeyen’s utterances last week when he consulted his family and stakeholders in his native ONNA local council for his senatorial aspiration, which seem to have indicted the Governor and his administration also worsened the already deteriorated relationship.

    Meanwhile, the former Works Commissioner and Chief of staff has restated his committment to the completion agenda of the Governor even as he expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve the state.

    In a statement in Uyo shortly after his sack, Inyangeyen said, “I wish to sincerely thank His Excellency, Governor Udom Emmanuel for the opportunity he gave me to serve as Commissioner for Works and most recently as his Chief of Staff.

    “I am grateful to him for having found me worthy to hold the two positions in his administration. And I am pleased I made a positive impact while I served.

    “Let me also thank colleagues whom I served with in the State Executive Council and by extension the larger Exco for their support and encouragement during my time as both Commissioner for Works and Chief of Staff.

    “I equally thank the good people of Akwa Ibom State for availing me the opportunity to have served them in the two capacities so mentioned. I’m deeply grateful.

    “Let me restate my loyalty to His Excellency, Governor Udom Emmanuel and my unflinching support for his completion agenda.

    “I wish to state emphatically that I’ll continue to work for the betterment of our dear state wherever I find myself in future. My love for the state and our people remains unquenchable.”

  • Shun Gov Emmanuel’s anointed — Group tells Onofiok Luke

    Shun Gov Emmanuel’s anointed — Group tells Onofiok Luke

    Foremost Akwa Ibom Guber aspirant and chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Judiciary, Barr Onofiok Luke has been advised not to be distracted by the endorsement of a certain aspirant by Governor Udom Emmanuel.

    Mr Jack Ekeng, Convener of National Political and Economic Discourse Group who made this known in a press statement in Uyo maintained that Akwa Ibom people know who they would vote forat the appropriate time.

    Ekeng explained that the endorsement was programmed to make Luke lose focus but expressed delight that instead of throwing in the towel, Luke’s issue-based popularity has continued to soar, making him the most acceptable gubernatorial aspirant in the state at the moment.

    “You cannot decree experience to exist. Of all the aspirants in the state so far, only Rt.Hon Onofiok can be said to be the most experienced having led the legislature at the highest level in the state and even fought to preserve democracy that was seriously threatened then.

    “Moving to the national level, he has not played a second fiddle even though he belongs to the opposition PDP. It takes a person with deep socio-political mastery to be chairman of a powerful committee as the judiciary even as first termer.

    “That’s is why the youth, elders and women all over the state route for him as the only detribalised politician with the ability to pull the state out of the current socio- economic and political quagmire and return us to the part of progress, human capital development and socio-national integration currently lacking.” He said.

    He called on the youths to maintain their support for Luke, whom he described as one of their own, as it was time to also try the youthful population at the highest level of managing the affairs of the state.

    “We have tried the elders and they did their best. But their best was not good enough due to the fact that most of their programmes did not resonate with teeming youthful population of the state.

    “We cannot subject this state again to gerontocracy when we have young but experienced professionals eagerly willing to serve. We thank God that someone like Rt.Hon. Onofiok Luke agreed to join the race.

    “He is the only person for now that deserves our votes and we I’ll do everything possible that come June12, 2023, Luke would assumed office as our next governor. We shall be happy for.

    “It would be a great disservice to humanity if we as a people sell our birthright on the altar of assumed government candidate instead of displaying the independent and intellectual mindedness that Akwa Ibomites all over the world have been known for.” Ekeng declared.

  • Militants issue one month ultimatum to Gov Emmanuel to rescind decision on Umo Eno

    Militants issue one month ultimatum to Gov Emmanuel to rescind decision on Umo Eno

    Militants under the aegis of ‘Unyekisong Akwa Ibom’ have given Governor Udom Emmanuel one month ultimatum to rescind his endorsement of Pastor Umo Eno as his preferred successor.

    Though they did not expressly mention the action they will take, the militants, however, said they would not fold their hands and watch the governor impose a governor on the people of the state.

    In a statement titled ‘Unyekisong Ibom Reject Imposition of POS Governor’, and signed by General Ekpo Ekpo, Commander Akan Bassey and Commander Sampson Umanah, the militants insisted that Akwa Ibom people should be allowed to elect their next governor.

    They criticized Emmanuel over his recent endorsement of Eno as his successor, saying the action was a huge threat to the People’s Democratic Party family and the entire state.

    The statement in Uyo on Wednesday reads in part, “the Coalition of all Freedom Fighters and pressure group in Akwa Ibom state have been meeting for the past few days to review the current political situation in state/endorsement of Pastor Umo Eno by Governor Udom Emmanuel as the next governor of Akwa Ibom.

    “Unyekisong Akwa Ibom totally rejects and condemn the endorsement of Pastor Umo Eno as the next governor of Akwa Ibom state by Governor Udom Emmanuel and state strongly that this is unacceptable.

    “The endorsement of Pastor Umo Eno is not only a threat to the PDP family but the entire state which will bring anarchy, insecurity and killings. The nomination of a particular candidate by the governor and leader of the party is totally unjust and unfair to other governorship aspirants in the state.

    “After carefully studying the report submitted by credible sources, we have come to the conclusion that the endorsement of Pastor Umo Eno is not for the benefit of the state but would rather serve as a POS and commissioner to Mr. Udom Emmanuel after leaving office to siphon money.

    “We therefore give the Governor one month ultimatum to withdraw his support for Pastor Umo Eno, go back to the drawing board and do proper consultations before making further statements concerning his successor, failure shall be disastrous as we will not fold our arms and watch his imposition unchallenged.

    They called on political leaders, traditional rulers, elders, women, youths and entire masses of the state to get their PVCs to enable them fight any form of imposition in 2023.

  • 2023: Christian Group asks Gov Emmanuel to rescind decision on successor

    2023: Christian Group asks Gov Emmanuel to rescind decision on successor

    A group under the aegis of Akwa Ibom State Council of Ministers has dmcalled on Governor Udom Emmanuel bto withdraw his endorsement of his Lands Commissioner, Pastor Umo Eno as his preferred successor.

    Addressing a press conference in Uyo on Thursday , President of Akwa Ibom Council of Ministers also known as Soldiers of Christ, Apostle Joseph Nyong accused Emmanuel of not displaying equity and fairness in the purported endorsement.

    Nyong explained that former Governor Victor Attah who spearheaded the endorsement was a product of zoning in 1999 and wondered why he connived with connive with Emmanuel to scuttle the same zoning arrangements that benefitted the two of them.

    “We also express our disappointment and dissatisfaction at the pivotal role played by the duo of Obong Victor Attah and Oku Ibom Ibibio on the said endorsement.

    “Attah as an elder statesman and a beneficiary of zoning can not blow hot and cold at the same time.

    “Moreover , the Oku Ibom Ibibio as the custodian of if our traditional institution is expected at all times to be a father to all and maintained neutrality in the political affairs of the state.” The President said.

    He insisted that Governor Emmanuel’s endorsement amounted to imposition and disrespect for the will of majority of Akwa Ibom people .

    “Such endorsement does not only snack of imposition and direct affront on the political will of majority of Akwa Ibom people but is also clear violation of of the long standing and immutable zoning arrangements in the state .” Nyong said.

    He therefore urged governor Emmanuel to search for his successor from Itu- Ibiono Ibom Federal Constituency in the interest of peace , equity and fair play.

    “There is no gainsaying the fact that it is only Itu/ Ibiono Ibom Federal Constituency that is yet to produce the governor of all federal constituencies within Uyo Senatorial District . It is therefore equitable and fair that it should be micro zoned to the federal constituency of Itu/Ibiono.” He explained.

    He said it was a fallacy for the Governor and some few individuals under the guise of “Fathers of faith” to claim that God revealed his choice of successor.

    ” The God we worship is not an author of confusion not purveyor of crisis and disunity . As a God of orderliness , equity and fairness , it is incongruous and unconscionable for the governor and the so called fathers of faith to use his name to seek validation of an obviously unpopular and unacceptable choice.” He said.

    The group threatened that if the public discontentment that followed Governor Emmanuel’s endorsement is not well handled , it might degenerate into avoidable crisis in 2923 general election.

    The president said that the church would not stay aloof as few individuals mortgage the peace and stability of the state adding that the right thing should be done by reversing the imposition of a preferred candidate on the state.

    ” We want to categorically state here that for the purpose of emphasis that as a church , we will not fold our arms and watch few individuals mortgage the peace and stability enjoyed in the state.” He said.

  • Mixed Reactions trail Gov Emmanuel’s endorsement of Eno as successor

    Mixed Reactions trail Gov Emmanuel’s endorsement of Eno as successor

    An uneasy calm have proceeded the endorsement of Akwa Ibom Lands Commissioner Mr Umoh Eno by Governor Udom Emmanuel as his preferred successor since Sunday.

    This is even as mixed reactions have trailed the endorsement with some people in the ruling PDP aversed to the decision even as some have not suprisinly endorsed the governor’s choice.

    In his reaction, a frontline guber aspirant and former Speaker of the State Assembly, Barr Onofiok Luke who expressed disenchantment over the action maintained that he would continue with his aspiration because a wider consultation wasn’t done.

    “We would have loved their endorsement but that would have been after due consultation. We would love the endorsement by the elders of the state. But whoever they would endorse should be the choice of the majority of people in the state.

    “So for me as Onofiok Akpan Luke, I am in the race for the governorship. I am going to stand election on the platform of my party the PDP. I am not part of that endorsement at all.

    “But I respect their views; I respect the opinion and choice of the governor. I respect Obong Victor Attah and the opinion of the elders of the state. It is their choice. I only respect their opinion; but I am not in support of what they are doing.” Luke, a member of the National Assembly said.

    Prof Herbert Batta, a lecturer at the University of Uyo also frowned at the endorsement.

    ” Did they pray for the Paramount Ruler to handpick a successor? Or did they pray for him to provide guidance and a level playing field for the best homegrown politician to emerge?

    ” This handpicked one was reportedly awarded a contract, before his appointment as commissioner, 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 govt fail to fund the contract? Did the govt reward him with an appointment? Does the govt want him to succeed?

    “Or does the govt 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: Udom, will Udom be successful?

    When probed for information, a former state Publicity Secretary of the PDP and presently State Commissioner for information and Strategy, Comrade Ini Ememobong simply replied that, “it is not a state government matter. That’s a political party’s matter. So, I cant talk as a commissioner for information.”

    But for former National Legal Adviser of the PDP, Barr Emmanuel Enoidem, the choice of Eno came after series of consultations with relevant Stakeholders 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 t, Udom Emmanuel that Pastor Umo Eno will be the right person to succeed him after his tenure in 2023.” Enoidem said.

    He added that the choice of Umo Eno is a dream come true for the organization (Maintain Peace Movement) who has been praying for God to give Akwa Ibom a successor like Udom Emmanuel who will perpetuate and sustain the peace in the state.

    “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.

    A chieftain of African Democratic Congress in the state, Arch. Ezekiel Nya-Etok in his own reaction said, that “the Governor had the choice to stay neutral, or to have a preferred. He has made his choice, and it is his fundamental right so to do. You also have you choice: to align, or to meet them on the field. Just as much as you should respect the right of the Governor, he also must respect your right to agree to disagree with him.”

    In a reaction, chairman of Civil Society Organisations, CSOs, in Akwa Ibom, Mr Harry Udoh maintained that there would be nothing wrong for the governor to support whoever he wants but that would not be seen as representing the choice of Akwa Ibom people.

    “There’s still the primary election to be won and theirs still the general election to be won. Anybody can choose anybody, it is left for the people to decide, I think that’s what democracy is all about. The governor can go ahead and dream the dreams he wants and see visions he wants but that is not the dream and vusion of the people.

    ” The people have to decide at the end of who should be governor. We can’t argue with the governor, I have my dreams and visions too likewise every other persons.

    “The governor is not saying I chose this one based on his antecedent or what he can do but based on what God told him, in this 21st century? that is the fallacy to ‘appeal to authority,’ that is just reducing God to politician. I don’t have any problem with the Umo Eno but the governor’s posturing is unpalatable.” Udoh said.