Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, says politics was not his chosen career path but God used his predecessor, Udom Emmanuel, to bring him into public office.
The report said Eno said this on Saturday at the Government House Banquet Hall, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State capital during his third anniversary media briefing.
The governor spoke against a backdrop of speculation that his relationship with Emmanuel, who is widely regarded as his political godfather, had soured.
Eno, who narrated his political journey, said the former governor stood by him, picked him against the odds and worked tirelessly to secure his victory in the 2023 governorship election.
He said, “Politics was not my career path, but God put me in the heart of Udom Emmanuel, he did all for me.
“I will not join you people to say anything about past leaders in the state. I’m not a good politician maybe but there are things I can’t do.
“I want to be a politician in my next world so I can tell you lies. “But we are trying as a government to bring the dividends of democracy to our people.
I Will Not Denigrate Former Leaders
“No matter what political differences people might suggest, I will not be a party to any attempt to speak ill of Emmanuel or any other past leaders of the state,” the governor said.
Loyalty, gratitude and respect for those who helped him were values Eno said he would not abandon because of politics.
The comments seemed to be a direct reply to claims that the political chemistry between him and Emmanuel had been strained since he took office.
He said politics is often about changing interests and disagreements, but there are personal principles he still sticks to.
Commenting on the slow pace of some projects in the state, Eno warned that his administration would not allow public funds to be wasted on contracts that were not delivering results.
The government would review projects not progressing as expected and could terminate non-performing contracts where necessary, he said.
He said his administration was presently executing some strategic road projects in Akwa Ibom State to ease movement, support businesses and open up communities.
“The administration is currently executing some strategic road projects in the state, including the dualisation of Ring Road III, reconstruction of Ikot Akpaden–Iko Road with bridges, among others,” he said.
The governor said the government was still committed to delivering quality infrastructure and would continue to monitor contractors to ensure value for money.
“On the state of roads in Uyo metropolis, Eno promised to constitute a committee that would monitor potholes and other failed road sections in the city.
The committee, he said, would be made up of journalists, civil society organisations and other stakeholders who would assist in identifying affected areas and reporting them to the government for attention.
The governor said the process will be more transparent and responsive to residents’ needs with independent stakeholders engaged.
On the poor power supply in the state, Eno appealed to the residents to be patient with his administration, saying the government was working within the necessary frameworks to improve electricity supply.
There were basic and implementation issues which had to be addressed before a steady power supply could be achieved, he explained.
The governor said his administration will continue to work on infrastructure and other development projects to improve the welfare of Akwa Ibom people.
The government was determined to bring the dividends of democracy closer to the residents of the state, he said.
