Governor Eno Speaks On Plan To Halt Tinubu’s Second Term Ambition

Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, has denied allegations of conspiring with the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpo Ekpo, to sabotage President Bola Tinubu’s second-term ambition.

The allegations were reportedly contained in an advertorial published in The Nation newspaper on January 22 by a group calling itself the “Concerned Members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Akwa Ibom State.”

In a statement issued on Thursday, Governor Eno’s spokesperson, Ekerete Udoh, described the publication as a “politically motivated hatchet job,” dismissing it as a “maliciously concocted rich cocktail of lies and blackmail.”

According to Udoh, the allegations were intended to disrupt Governor Eno’s harmonious relationship with President Tinubu, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and Minister Ekperikpo Ekpo.

No Alliance Against Tinubu

The statement refuted claims that Governor Eno was collaborating with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to support a Northern presidential candidate or deliver the South-South region to the PDP in the 2027 elections.

“It is unfortunate to note that while President Tinubu is rallying the nation to support his bold and audacious economic plans… this faceless group could maliciously concoct such lies, falsehoods, and blackmail against the Governor,” the statement read.

Naija News reports that the group also accused Minister Ekpo of being part of the alleged conspiracy, which he has since denied.

A Focus On Bipartisan Collaboration

Akwa Ibom, a traditional PDP stronghold since 1999, has seen a shift under Governor Eno, who has prioritized working across party lines.

Since assuming office in May 2023, Eno has fostered collaboration with APC leaders in the state, including Akpabio and Ekpo.

Udoh further stated, “Governor Eno is focused on working collaboratively with the President Tinubu-led Federal Government, the National Assembly led by Mr. Akpabio, our son, to achieve the Arise Agenda for the betterment of the people of Akwa Ibom State.”

The governor’s spokesperson accused the group of seeking to profit from political chaos, saying, “The promoters of this faceless group hate the current peace, amity, and spirit of bipartisanship that Governor Eno has promoted in the state.”

Udoh reaffirmed that Governor Eno remains committed to governance and advancing development in Akwa Ibom, rather than engaging in political gamesmanship.

“This is the time for governance and not for political gamesmanship,” the statement concluded.