Monday June 1, 2026
www.thenewsdesk.ng
Akwa Ibom governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has declared that he will not hand over the state’s treasury to what he described as “desperate politicians” ahead of the 2027 elections, insisting that Akwa Ibom cannot be entrusted to recycled leaders with no proven record of public service.
The governor made the remarks at a media chat marking his third anniversary in office at the Government House Banquet Hall in Uyo, where he also defended his administration’s performance and responded to criticism of his leadership.
Governor said governance should not be judged lightly from outside, adding that only those in office fully understand its complexity.
“If you think governance is easy to attack or criticize from outside, wait until you get to this other side,” he said, comparing political criticism to football commentary, where spectators often suggest better tactics without playing.
He challenged his critics—particularly what he called recycled politicians to account for their past records in public office.
“For those who had never held any political leadership before, I can excuse them, but I ask those recycled politicians who had held political positions before, show me what you did?” he said.
The governor urged voters to assess candidates based on performance rather than political ambition, warning against what he described as attempts to gain power for personal enrichment.
“This is election time and campaigns will soon start, I am ready to engage them. Let those recycled politicians tell me what they had done before while holding various positions in government,” he added.
Governor Eno alleged that some of his opponents lacked even basic personal assets, claiming they were still living in rented accommodation while seeking to control state resources.
