African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the All Progressive Congress ( APC) in Akwa Ibom State have been engulfed in controversy ahead of intensive governorship/political party campaigns in the state.
It was all started by the governorship candidate of ADC in the state, Senator John James Udoedehe, when he arrived the state last week after getting a nod from Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to fly the party’s flag in Akwa Ibom for 2027 election.
Udoedehe, who was received by a mammoth crowd of party supporters at the airport, proceeded to ADC office at Oron Road for a brief meeting with State Exco of the party and retired to his palatial mansion at Atan Offot, where he interaction with journalists in the state.
During the media interaction, Udoedehe raised issues of concern that unsettled the state government, prompting Umo Eno to react immediately through the Commissioner of Information, Hon Aniekan Umanah.
Udoedehe raised issues that stoked controversy in the state such as delays of the Ibom Deepsea projects, accusing Umo Eno as being responsible to the purported travails of his political godfather and ex-governor of the state, Mr. Udom Emmanuel, in the hands of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), which, according to Udoedehe had resulted in forfeiture of the former governor’s house in Lagos.Other issues raised include mismanagement of funds by APC-led government in the state, persistent poverty and youth unemployment; he promised to address the issue of poverty, if elected as governor in 2027.
Speaking during media briefing with Online Newspaper Publishers in Uyo, Senator Udoedehe said the facilitators of the Ibom Deepsea port project could not factor in their personal interest, which would make them and their generations to become millionaires when the project comes on board.
“Do you know why Ibom Deepsea port delays? Reason is that our leaders facilitating the project could not factor in their interest that would make them millionaires forever,” he said.
Udoedehe said he decided to enter the governorship race in the state to stop poverty and unemployment facing the citizens due to personal interest of leaders.
He said the present APC government has received over N2.3 trillion but there was nothing to show for it, except by rendering citizens poor and jobless.
He explained that, with employment and poverty alleviation, the government can restore stability and social order.
“People are still poor in the midst of plenty. You can achieve stability and social order, if the people are not hungry, parents can send their children to school and young people can be gainfully engaged. Umo Eno has failed to establish social order, because people are still hungry, unemployment is everywhere .
“ No sincerity in government, people are suffering without hope of survival. The people are ready to vote out evil governments that have impoverished them over the years,” he added.
Udoedehe insisted that he would not reveal his campaign strategy so that opposition parties would not steal it, adding he would make a difference this time more than before.
“When we roll out our campaign strategy, Akwa Ibom people will be happy to vote ADC in Akwa Ibom State,” he said.
Surprisingly, the incumbent, APC governorship candidate in the state, Pastor Umo Eno, never responded to all the weighty allegations by the ADC gubernatorial candidate, except on the issue of instigating the EFCC to cause forfeiture of ex-governor Udom Emmanuel’s house in Lagos.
Eno, while responding to Udoedehe’s allegations, represented by Information Commissioner Aniekan Umanah, said the state government never reported former Gov. Udom Emmanuel to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, as speculated by the ADC governorship candidate in a viral video circulating in the state.
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A statement signed by Umanah and made available to journalists in Uyo described the allegations as false, reckless, without foundation, with intention to incite the public and generate tension in the state.
The statement said in part: “The attention of the Akwa Ibom State Government has been drawn to a recent social media video in which Senator John James Akpanudoedehe made grave and completely unsubstantiated allegations against Governor Umo Eno and former Governor Udom Emmanuel, including the claim that the Governor caused the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to seize the former Governor’s Lagos residence.
“Ordinarily, the government would not dignify such a tissue of lies with a response. However, given the apparent intention to incite the public and create tension, we have chosen to set the records straight. The allegation is false, reckless and without foundation.”
Umanah explained that Eno has never reported anybody to the EFCC, as it is not in his character to indulge in such acts.
The Information Commissioner said Gov. Eno, in his words, has not made such reports and will never ever do it for any reason as mentioned by the ADC governorship candidate in Akwa Ibom State.
“This categorical position underscores the baseless nature of the allegation. For the avoidance of doubt, Governor Umo Eno has never reported anyone to the EFCC. I make bold to say that I have never reported anyone, talk more of my predecessor in office, to the EFCC. I stand to be challenged or contradicted,” he said.
Umanah maintained that the facts of Gov. Eno’s conduct speak for themselves, adding that Eno had consistently demonstrated respect for his predecessors and made genuine efforts towards reconciliation, including facilitating engagements at the highest levels of government in the country in the interest of peace and political harmony.
Umanah observed that Eno has continued to retain a retinue of aides who served in the former administration of Udom Emmanuel and wondered how such a speculation by a “desperate” governorship candidate could find its way into the social media space.
“If Governor Eno were driven by any form of fury, why has he retained most of the persons who served under the former administration? Why has he continued and completed projects initiated by former governors?” he queried.
Umanah disclosed that the state has moved far beyond the politics of falsehood, blackmail and manufactured controversies, adding that the people deserve politics that promotes peace, development and responsible leadership, instead of rhetoric designed to reopen old wounds or set leaders and communities against one another.
“It is, however, important that Senator Akpanudoedehe does not attempt to rewrite the history of the build-up to the 2011 gubernatorial election, when violence, destruction and acts of arson resulted in the burning of vehicles purchased for the mass taxi service and damage to public assets, causing serious trauma across the state.
“Senator Akpanudoedehe was at the centre of those events and was subsequently arrested and prosecuted over allegations arising from the crisis,” he noted.
Umanah warned that those who seek political office must also be prepared to answer questions about their own political conduct and the consequences of past conflicts in which they played a leading role.
“The pertinent question is: must Akwa Ibom once again be subjected to the politics of bitterness, destruction and instability orchestrated by one man? Must political ambition again come at the expense of peace?
“The saying that a leopard does not change its spots is instructive. We would expect the lessons of 2011 to have produced greater restraint and responsibility. Yet, when political rhetoric is again characterised by false accusations, incitement, provocation and attempts to create distrust among the people, Akwa Ibom has every reason to be concerned.
“While Senator Akpanudoedehe is busy making unfounded allegations, the government of Pastor Umo Eno remains focused on delivering the ARISE Agenda—roads and bridges, schools, healthcare facilities, Compassionate Homes, agriculture, tourism, aviation and other projects that are positively impacting the lives of our people,” he said.
However, the controversy has set the tone for governorship campaigns in the state, which some analysts described as a battle of the titans in Akwa Ibom. A PDP chieftain in the state Hon. Okon Ituen, said the campaign will be hot and interesting in the state.
“APC feels that there is no opposition but Senator Udoedehe will give them a run for their money,” he concluded.
