2023 Akwa Ibom Governorship Race: As Governor Udom names preferred successor, avalanche of reactions trail the proposal

Governor Udom Emmanuel has revealed who he wants to succeed him as Governor of Akwa Ibom in 2023.

Emmanuel was said to have introduced Eno to a select group of Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) stakeholders on Sunday night at Government House, Uyo.

Since after the announcement Sunday, avalanche of reactions has continued to trail the pronouncement from the people of Akwa Ibom state.

The announcement that took politicians and citizens of the Sate by surprise has attracted multiple reactions, causing the once quiet political atmosphere of the state to be edgy.

According to the governor, the state Commissioner for Lands and Water Resources, Mr. Umoh Eno, would wear the cap, come next year as the governor of the state.

Reacting to the governor’s action, the immediate past National Legal Adviser to the Peoples Democratic Party, Mr. Emmanuel Enoidem, said the choice of Pastor Umo Eno came after a series of consultations with relevant stakeholders in the state and prays God to reveal the right individual that will continue on the legacies of Governor Udom Emmanuel.

”So, God has revealed to our dear Governor Udom Emmanuel that Pastor Umo Eno will be the right person to succeed him after his tenure in 2023.”

He added that the choice of Umo Eno is a dream come true for the organization (Maintain Peace Movement) who has been praying for God to give Akwa Ibom a successor like Udom Emmanuel who will continue and sustain the peace in the state.

“We all know that Udom Emmanuel was not the most popular politician in 2015 when he was brought to us by God to contest for the position but he got the acceptability of the people and finally emerged the Governor of the state in 2015 and 2019. So, it is the grace of God and His will also that Umo Eno should succeed Udom Emmanuel and we stand by that”.

He assured that Umo Eno will finally emerge as the PDP flag bearer in the 2023 Gubernatorial primary noting that Akwa Ibom will remain PDP as the state cannot afford to experiment with another party.

Among those present at the meeting aside from the former Governor, Victor Attah was a member of the House of Representatives Hon. Onofiok Luke who over the years, has indicated an interest in running for the state’s 2023 gubernatorial race.

Luke, a member representing Etinan Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, said in his remark that he was not against the choice of the governor, even though they are from the same federal constituency.

“I am not against the choice of the Governor coming from my local government, Federal Constituency nor the aspiration of my brother. However, as a fellow aspirant from the same local government at the same advantage when successful, my aspiration to serve the state in the capacity of the Governor remains on course”.

“Out of respect and as a loyal party man, I honored an innocent invitation from the Governor for a meeting at the lodge, at the meeting, my brother from my local government and Federal Constituency, Pastor Umo Eno was presented as the choice of the Governor for succession.

” It was at the said meeting that I heard of the agenda and choice for the first time and no one held any discussion with me prior to the meeting”, he said.

“Before leaving the meeting, he made it clear to them that he would rather compete and fail in the (PDP) party primaries than abandon his ambition and resign for anyone,” a source said.

In his reaction, a lecturer in the Department of Communication Arts, University of Uyo, Dr. Herbert Batta, asked rhetorically, “Did they pray for the Paramount Ruler to handpick a successor? Or did they pray for him to provide guidance and a level playing field for the best homegrown politician to emerge?

“This handpicked one was reportedly awarded a contract, before his appointment as commissioner, to rework Idua road in Eket, a town he lives in, has his businesses and church; but he messed up the road, made it worse, and abandoned it! did the government fail to fund the contract”?.

The challenger, Mr. Eno, who is relatively unknown in Akwa Ibom politics, was appointed commissioner in January 2021. Before that, he was preoccupied with his hospitality business: running a hotel in Eket and supplying food to Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited.

Eno was in the spotlight a few days earlier when the Vanguard newspaper ran a story about him bragging that Mr. Emmanuel would soon declare it as his preferred option.