Friday May 30, 2025|

Akwa Ibom Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has vowed that he will not become a regular visitor to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) after leaving office.

Speaking on Thursday, May 29, during a media parley to mark his second anniversary in office, Governor Eno attributed the downfall of many former governors to undue pressure from citizens to misuse public funds.

The governor said he remains committed to transparency, accountability, and value-driven spending in the management of state resources, despite repeated demands from various interest groups.

“When I became governor, I told the Akwa Ibom people that we would establish a sinking fund. Every month, we ensure we don’t spend all our revenue,” Governor Eno stated. “I’m not one for frivolous spending, my children can attest to that. Money must pursue something; it must align with its original intent—value exchange.”

He noted that public expectations have become increasingly driven by a sense of entitlement, where citizens expect the government to meet every demand, regardless of fiscal implications.

Pastor Eno reaffirmed that his administration would continue to prioritize prudent financial management to ensure lasting development and avoid the post-tenure pitfalls faced by some of his predecessors.

“I saw it when some group of boys said they are support groups for Umo Eno, and since they finished supporting me, Umo Eno has not done anything for them. So they want to go on a protest. I laughed. I pray they don’t get into security issues.

“They say they supported me for good governance, and I am trying my best to provide good governance, yet they want me to give them money. Where will I have money to give to support groups?

“When you see former governors go to EFCC when they finish, we are the people that drive them to it, and no one will drive me to it. I will do what I can do within the law, what I cannot do, I will stay away. Now, which account, which budget do I have to pull money from groups?

Still on the finances of the state, Governor Eno debunked reports in some sections of the media that Akwa Ibom state received 650 billion in three months.

“These figures are published quarterly, and the Freedom of Information Act allows you to get information. So the argument about how much we get shouldn’t even be there.

‘But I can tell everyone that I am praying and trusting God that we get N200 billion a month. If I get that, then I will turn this place into Dubai. But from what we are getting, we are doing our best.

“You cannot take balance carried forward, which is clearly shown in the publication, and they show you three months’ revenue as added up, and you now come up with a headline saying that Akwa Ibom receives N650 billion in three months.

“That’s not good reporting to journalists, you have reported well, but to our neighboring states, you don’t know the number of troubles you have just sparked up for us. They will say if Akwa Ibom is receiving N650 billion in three months, so maybe it is receiving N200 billion a month.

“Then you go to the Governors’ Forum and people say Akwa Ibom, and your neighbouring states say maybe Akwa Ibom is holding our oil wells. And you have thrown Akwa Ibom in harm’s way just by that false reporting”, he maintained.

The governor lamented that neighboring states have started agitating to get some oil wells from Akwa Ibom following the false report that the state may be earning up to N200 billion a month.

“So, Cross River wants our oil wells, Rivers State wants our oil wells because they will ask why Akwa Ibom is earning so much, whereas it was just a false report.

“Ever since that report broke, I know the number of times I have gone to the presidency because other states feel we have not been nice to them”.

The governor praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for disbursing funds to the state, adding that it has helped Akwa Ibom state embark on development projects that positively impact the people.

“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has been good to the state. He has released funds to the state. I will not speak for other governors. I am not the Chairman of Nigeria Governors Forum and I don’t seek to be, but I am speaking for Akwa Ibom because we don’t have funding, we won’t be able to do the things we are doing”, Governor Eno added.