Wednesday June 4, 2025|
The Akpakip Oro Elders’ Advisory Council has thrown its weight behind Pastor Umo Eno’s next political move.
The decision was taken Tuesday 3rd June, 2025 during a meeting of the organization held in the Deputy Governor’s Lodge, Uyo.
Addressing the elders of Oro Nation under the auspices of Akpakip Oro Elders’ Advisory Council, the Deputy Governor, Senator (Dr) Akon Eyakenyi acknowledged the role of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the emergence of their administration in particular and the development of Akwa Ibom State as a whole.
She noted that although the Party was very strong and formidable in Akwa Ibom State, the intractable crises bedeviling it at the national level pose a significant threat to the electoral victory of those who will fly its flag in the next election.
According to her, the Governor cannot afford to subject the future of the State to such uncertainties, hence his decision to move to a different political platform.
The Deputy Governor said beyond the crises rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Pastor Umo Eno was in love with the leadership style of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, stating that the decision to align with the President will bring enormous socio-economic and political benefits to the State.
“I’m sure you are all aware the Governor is making a serious political move, which is occasioned by the intractable crises bedeviling the PDP.
“At the State level, the PDP doesn’t have any problem and would win any election. But the issue is beyond that. At the national level, the PDP isn’t doing well and there’s no indication the problems will be solved anytime soon.
“Although the Governor has already directly or indirectly communicated with most of you on the decision, I felt it was also necessary for you to hear from me that I will be moving with the Governor wherever his next destination is.”
She expressed optimism that members of the Akpakip Oro Elders’ Advisory Council and indeed, Oro Nation will file en masse behind the Governor, saying the Governor’s performance in the area justified such an overwhelming solidarity.
“In just two years, the Governor has solved some of our most pressing problems. I won’t start reeling them out again as you are already aware of the things he has done in Oro Nation. As the administration progresses, more will be done in Oro Nation and Akwa Ibom State. The only thing the Governor needs now is our support and the next few days will test how supportive we are of the Governor,” she remarked.
Senator Eyakenyi assured Oro Nation elders that there was no reason to be anxious about the next political destination as the Governor has always believed in the unity of Akwa Ibom State and will continue to advance that noble cause, irrespective of the political party he belongs to.
In his remarks, the Member Representing Oron Federal Constituency, Rep. Martins Esin said the level of attention given Oro Nation by Pastor Umo Eno was unprecedented, highlighting some of the important projects the Governor has executed in the area in the last two years to buttress his argument.
He said Oro Nation and Akwa Ibom State will fare better aligning with the centre than remaining in the fringes, maintaining that the crises rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will have far-reaching consequences on the electoral fortunes of its members, including Akwa Ibom people.
Presenting a well-written speech, the Chairman, Akpakip Oro Elders’ Advisory Council, Ikpoto Okon Osung described the Governor’s decision to defect as “right in all ramifications”, saying the Governor was right in refusing to gamble with his political future, as there are strategic advantages to be derived by the Governor and the State in aligning with the centre.
Justifying the Governor’s decision, Ikpoto Osung noted that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has splintered into three major blocs, failing to agree on zoning of the presidency ahead of the 2027 election and failing to act responsibly as an alternative platform to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The former National Vice President, Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) harped on the ongoing legal battle regarding the authentic National Secretary of the PDP as the worst failure of the Party and the most serious risk factor to the Governor’s reelection bid, emphasizing that the national structure of the Party supercedes the State in determining governorship elections.
“Governor Umo Eno is therefore right in refusing to gamble with his political future, knowing fully well that in this type of confused political atmosphere, even if he wins his re-election in 2027 neat and square, his victory could be upturned by the courts on technical grounds, such as the argument that his nomination forms were not endorsed by the bona fide National Chairman and Secretary – exactly what has accounted for the defection by the FCT Council Chairmen.”
Having taken time to list the risk factors inherent in the continued membership of the PDP and the likely benefits of aligning with the Centre, the former Chairman of the defunct Transition Monitoring Group (TMG) appealed to the Oro stakeholders and Akwa Ibomites in general to throw their weight behind the Governor.
“Our leader, the Governor has shown us the light. We, in unison must join hands and follow his direction. We hereby appeal to the Oro ethnic nationality, nay the entire State, to give robust support to our five-star leader as he leads us into a new Party,” he appealed.
Lending his voice to the call to move with the Governor, immediate past Secretary to the State Government, Dr Emmanuel Ekuwem said it was the right thing to do.
He hinged his support on Pastor Umo Eno’s performance and what he described as President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s courageous leadership.
Dr Ekuwem mentioned the removal of petroleum subsidy, increased allocation to states and Local Government Councils and the Tax Reforms Bill as some of the audacious decisions taken by the President to earn his admiration, urging Akwa Ibom people to key into the Governor’s vision of taking the State back to the mainstream of national politics.
In a motion moved by former Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General of the State, Chief Ekpenyong Ntekim and seconded by a Federal Commissioner, National Population Commission (NPC), Engr. (Chief) Benedict Ukpong, the House unanimously adopted the speech presented by the Chairman, Ikpoto Okon Osung as its communique, resolving to follow the Governor to a new political party.
The meeting was attended by a broad spectrum of political and opinion leaders from Oro Nation, including the four House of Assembly members, Local Government Chairmen, Commissioners, past and serving office holders, the President General of Oron Union, Sir Essang Nsa Bassey; Chairman, Board of Trustees, Sir Edet Amana; Secretary, Board of Trustees, Prof. Eka Uwe; Vice President General 1, Dr. (Mrs) Arit Etim; Secretary General, Dr. Chris Okon; former Members Representing Oron Federal Constituency, Rt. Hon. Sir Esio Oquong Udoh and Rt. Hon. Barr. Peter Linus Umoh; former Pro Chancellor, Akwa Ibom State University, Prof. Okon Eminue.
Others were Honorary Special Adviser to the Governor, Prince Chris AbasiEyo; former Director, Airworthiness Standards; Chief Ita Awak; former Commissioners For Health Chief (Dr.) E. J. Attih and Chief (Dr) Bassey Antai; former Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Chief (Barr.) Efiong Abia; Managing Director, CEEDAPEG Hotel and Apartments; Sir Efiong Afiakurue; former President General of Oron Union, Bishop Etim Ante; Dean, Faculty of Communication and Media Studies, University of Uyo, Prof. Peter Esuh; Deputy Provost, College of Health Sciences, University of Uyo, Prof. Inyang Atting; former Chairman, Oro Think Tank, Dr. Monday Dickson, former Vice President General 1, Oron Union, Barr. (Mrs) Ann Eyo, among others.
