By Bassey Nkponam
UYO
In his bid to project and align Akwa Ibom strategically at the national level for a more positive and progressive development, the State governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has moved progressively from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC.
Eno, who announced his movement weekend, during a press briefing at the Banquet Hall of Government House, Uyo, said having consulted widely with critical stakeholders in the State, he has decided to move progressively to the APC.
He said his decision to move to the APC was an enlightened state interest predicated on the need to align Akwa Ibom with the centre to attract more federal presence, as well as the exercise of his fundamental rights of association as expressed in the 1999 Constitution as amended.
Eno stated that his decision to join the APC was not on the point of interest but on the point of progress, assuring that he would continue to run a bi-partisan government.
The governor assured that though he has changed his political affiliation from the PDP to the APC, his values, moral fibre, and the foundational principles he has nourished and lived by remain unchanged and sacrosanct.
“Today, fellow Akwa Ibomites, we are gathered here to witness change while equally affirming the constancy of our collective values and defining ethos as a State.
“For some time now, the political space, particularly in this State and the nation in general, have been awash with the news of my likely movement from the PDP, the platform that had provided the levers and ladder of my political ascendancy to the position of governor of this state. The discussions have elicited various layers of analysis in the process.
“Today, I am here to answer some of those nagging questions. Like the Dalai Lama had said, we should always be open to change but not let go of our shared values.
“Earlier this morning, I submitted my formal letter of resignation from the PDP to my ward chairman, same copy was sent to both the State chairman as well as the national chairman. I have therefore, decided to progressively move to the All Progressives Congress, APC.
“Standing before you today, I make bold to state categorically that, though I have, by today’s event, changed my political affiliation from the PDP to the APC, my values, my moral fibre, the foundational principles I have nourished and lived by, remain unchanged and sacrosanct,” the governor stated.
Eno acknowledged the daunting challenges faced in the country in recent times and the boldness and deep convictions President Bola Tinubu has stared the challenging moments, saying, “it is a known fact that I have never hidden my admiration for the President and his patriotic devotion to national renewal which he is engendering today”.
He said that he was joining the APC because of his critical admiration and respect for Tinubu and to provide the needed support for the Senate President, Chief Godswill Akpabio from the home base.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has possibly in the recent history of our nation, faced the most daunting economic challenges of any leader. With boldness and deep convictions, he has taken these challenges head-on, coming up with solutions that have begun now to yield positive results.
“These decisions, like the removal of the petroleum subsidy, have brought more funds to sub-national entities to pursue audacious projects that have positively affected the lives of their people. For us in Akwa Ibom, the State is now more of a construction site with many life-touching projects across the 31 local government areas without borrowing a dime from the banks. This is because of the quality leadership of the President,” he said.
The President of the Senate, Akpabio, lauded Eno’s swift and wise decision to join the APC, describing his decision as a strategic and right moment for the benefit of Akwa Ibom people.
Akpabio, represented by his wife, Ekaete Unoma, said Eno was a true man of God, blessed with spiritual gifts to visualise the future, while acknowledging the minister for petroleum resources (gas), Obongemem Ekperikpe Ekpo, for his strategic role in building the bridge of peace that makes the development possible.
He called on stakeholders in the State, across party lines, to remain resolute, and join Eno in building a new and united Akwa Ibom.
The director general, Umo Eno/Akon Eyakenyi Campaign Organisation, Chief Assam Assam, SAN, noted that it was the first time in the history of the State that the people were following their governor in his political choice.
Assam described Eno as a tremendous leader whose leadership disposition has led to tremendous achievements which were rarely attained in the past.
The chairman, APC Governors’ Forum and governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodinma, described Eno’s decision as a movement and not a defection.
Uzodima expressed delight at the cooperation of Akwa Ibom people which, he said, has made Eno’s movement to the APC voluntary and possible.
He lauded the governor for his inclusive governance and wide consultations which have drawn all distinguished Akwa Ibom sons and daughters to join him in the progressive movement, while expressing delight for receiving him into the forum.
Uzodinma described the governor as one of the best and brightest governors in the country and pledged his support to help and encourage him in the leadership decisions.
According to him, the role and responsibility of a leader involves taking right decisions on the larger interest of his followers, thanking Akwa Ibom people for their wise and voluntary decision to join the progressive family for the betterment of the State, and assured that they would not regret their political decision.
The State chairman of the APC, Obong Stephen Ntukekpo, appreciated the governor for his vision, humility, noble disposition and political will to decide on the way forward for the State, assuring that numerous achievements will make Eno’s campaign for second term easy and joyful.
Ntukekpo described Eno as a true son of Akwa Ibom whose leadership would keep the State united, irrespective of its diversity, highlighting his impressive achievements within two years in office to include: rural development, business support grants, improved infrastructure, educational advancement and attainment of peace in all communities.
He lauded Eno for his “noble role, dedication, diplomacy and deep belief in the unity of Akwa Ibom which has brought about the success that is celebrated today.”
In their separate goodwill messages, 26 out of the 27 members of the State Executive Council represented by the secretary to the state government, Prince Enobong Uwah, chairmen of local government councils, under the aegis of Association of Local Government of Nigeria, ALGON, Akwa Ibom chapter, represented by its chairman, Dr Uwemedimo Udo; members of the State House of Assembly, represented by the Speaker, Elder Udeme Otong, and those of the National Assembly represented by the Senator for Eket Senatorial District, Senator Ekong Sampson, all agreed to move progressively with the governor to the APC in recognition of his superlative performance in the last two years.
In attendance at the event were governors of Cross River, Prince Bassey Otu, Delta, Imo, Edo, Ogun, and Ekiti; APC chairmen from other States, including Rivers; ministers, including that of Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekpo and that of Budget and Planning; National Assembly members, past and present, former deputy governors of the State, including Obong Nsima Ekere and Lady Valerie Ebe; Obong Umana Okon Umana; Senator Ita Enang, among others.
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