…As The People Applaud Gov Eno, Senator Akpabio For Leading The Way
By Ossom Asaka, Uduak Akai, Abraham Akpabio
UYO
As Governor Umo Eno finally defected Friday to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), thereby putting an end to months of political permutations, tension and speculations in the state, the people of Akwa Ibom have described the defection as a progressive movement that will change the fortunes of the state and its people for the better.
The people of the state both within and outside Akwa Ibom, who spoke with The Pioneer during a survey at the weekend applauded Governor Eno for taking the bold step to properly align State with the centre, stressing that with the present political dynamics in the country, there was no need for the state and its people to continue to swim against the tide.
They equally lauded the Senate president, Senator Godswill Akpabio, for his unwavering support and encouragement to the state governor and expressed optimism that the latest alignment would attract more democractic dividends to Akwa Ibom and its people.
A renowned scholar and head of department in the Akwa Ibom State Polytechnic, Ikot Osurua, Mr Ubon Obonguko, described Friday’s defection by the governor and leading political figures in the state as a mother of all defections, noting that Governor Eno has again created history in the state as a leader who listens to the voice of reasoning.
“That decision by the governor was certainly not an easy decision to make but from all indications, it is good that he has made the move now.
“I am very optimistic that Akwa Ibom and its people will benefit from this movement considering our vantage position at the centre and the huge mineral resources that nature has blessed us with.
“All that is needed is for our representatives to continue to unite and be responsive to the yearnings of our people. Kudos to Governor Eno and the Senate president, Senator Godswill Akpabio, for midwifing this movement and I want to urge all Akwa Ibom people to continue to support the governor to enable him attract more developments to the state.
“Considering the political situation in the country where almost every state is daily aligning with the centre and also considering the fact that the only known opposition, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), is almost going into extinction, to have done otherwise by Governor Eno would not have been politically incorrect.” Obonguko stated.
He advised the governor not to be distracted by those who are not comfortable with the decision but to remain focused in fulfilling his ARISE Agenda blueprint to the benefit of the state and its people.
Mr Ephraim Etukudo, a businessman residing in Uyo, opined that the defection notwithstanding, his major concern is that the state and its people will benefit as a result of the movement.
Etukudo who described the defection as a key characteristic in Nigerian politics, urged Governor Eno to stay focused and to continue with his people-oriented governance in the interest of Akwa Ibom and its people.
“The governor’s decision to change camp and party is very timely and I am sure this defection will bring a lot of benefits to us as a people.
“All we owe him at a time such as this is to support and encouragement,” Etukudo stated.
A retired principal-general, Elder Emmanuel Udoh, described Governor Eno as a strategist who knows what is best for his people, adding that from his observation on Friday, the defection was well planned and it is certain that the movement will attract series of benefits to the state and its people.
“I know Governor Eno as a man of action and irrespective of which party he belongs, I am sure he will continue to attract more dividends of democracy to his people.
“Eno is a man who knows God and he is a good man, irrespective of which party he belongs, he will continue to do good,” Udoh stated.
A legal practitioner who chose to remain anonymous in his submission, observed that the last two years of the governor’s reign in the state had been very impactful under the PDP, adding that his movement to the APC now is a progressive approach that would enable him attract more developments to the state.
“PDP, APC or YPP are just names of political parties, what really matters is what one brings to the table to better the lives of his people. My conviction is that the governor will not let us down. Let us continue to support and encourage him,” the legal practitioner stated.
A trader at the Akpan Andem Market, Mrs Itemobong Usen, hinted that “Governor Eno is an adult who knows what is good for Akwa Ibom and its people.
“He did so well while he was with the PDP; so now that he is going to the ruling APC, I am sure that he will not change from his good ways because he is a man of God.”
Usen who said traders in the state have benefitted so much from the governor in the last two years, urged Akwa Ibom people to continue to support the governor and expressed optimism that “now that Akwa Ibom has aligned with the centre, more benefits would be attracted to the state and its citizens.”
Reports from Lagos indicates that the joy of Akwa Ibom indigenes in the old federal capital city knew no bounds when news of the governor’s defection was made available to them.
The Pioneer gathered that Akwa Ibom indigenes in Lagos were pouring praises on Governor Eno and Senator Akpabio for leading the state and its people to the centre, expressing optimism that the fortunes of the state and that of its people can only get better now that its leaders have fully embraced the ruling APC.
The president, Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District indigenes in Lagos, Elder Samuel Usoro, in his submission lauded Governor Eno for his foresight, courage and boldness for taking the decision, noting that the alignment will attract much progress to Akwa Ibom and its people.
“Governor Eno has foreseen the future and has acted aptly too. From all indications, Akwa Ibom and its people will benefit from this progressive movement. I am convinced that going forward, the Ibaka Deep Seaport project will become a reality, there will be more infrastructural development and job opportunities in the state.
There will be more political appointments for our people, more federal agencies will spring up in our state. “Our people should see sense in this movement and continue to support and encourage the governor to do more for our state,” Usoro opined.
Others who also applauded the governor for his bold initiative were the president, Akwa Ibom Community (AKISCOM) in Lagos, Dr Edet Ambang, a public affairs commentator, Akparawa John Essien, a staff of the National Assembly, Dr Akpan Emmanuel and Prof. Ofonime Bassey.
They described Governor Eno as a leader who holds the interest of his people so dear to his heart, stressing that the latest defection which was arrived at after due consultations by the governor will place Akwa Ibom at a more vantage position in the comity of states in the country.
It would be recalled that during the build-up to last Friday’s defection by key political stakeholders in the state, Governor Eno had openly assured Akwa Ibom people that despite party affiliation, he would continue to be the governor that the people of the state elected.
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