2023: Governor Udom Emmanuel picks pastor Umo Eno as his successor

Ex-Governor Victor Attah presents him to stakeholders

Akpan Umoh, Uyo

Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom State has finally ended months of speculations and permutations with the presentation of one of his cabinet members to succeed him as governor in 2023.

At a well-attended PDP Stakeholders’ Meeting on Sunday, January 30, 2022, in the evening at the Governor’s Lodge, Uyo, Emmanuel, after claims of seeking God’s face in prayers for his successor for some months, announced his Commissioner for Land and Water Resources, Pastor Umo Eno as his preferred choice.

Also, former Governor, Obong (Arc) Victor Attah, thereafter presented Eno to the stakeholders which comprise major and leading political chieftains from the three senatorial districts, who all applauded the choice and pledged to work towards his emergence as Akwa Ibom State governor come 2023.

Eno, who spoke passionately and emotionally about how he grew up in the police barracks and how dreary and challenging those days were, summoned hope to overcome those difficulties.

According to him, he was grateful to God and to Emmanuel for finding him worthy of the onerous task of leading Akwa Ibom residents, adding that he would continue with the people-focused and developmental strides of the incumbent governor.

Bishop Uma Ukpai and the Prelate Emeritus of the Methodist Church of Nigeria, Dr Sunday Mbang prayed for his success; a sentiment that was re-echoed by the Oku Ibom Ibibio and Chairman of State Council of Chiefs, Ntenyin Solomon Etuk.

Among those who attended the event, were the Deputy Governor, Mr Moses Ekpo, MFR, Speaker of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Aniekan Bassey, Senators Akon Eyakenyi, Effiong Bob, Ibok Essien, Aloysius Etok, former Deputy Governor, Etim Okpoyo, Member, representing Etinan Federal Constituency at the National Assembly, Onofiok Luke, PDP Party Chairman, Elder Aniekan Akpan, Barrister Emmanuel Enoidem, the National Coordinator of the Maintain Peace Movement, (MPM), Hon Pat Ifon, Member representing Eket Federal Constituency at the National Assembly and member, PDP BOT, Chief Nduese Essien, a former Minister of Housing, Ambassador Assam Assam, SAN, Nigeria’s former Ambassador to Russia, Fathers of Faith, and other leading members of the state’s political class.