Will Umo Eno and Udom Emmanuel Finally Clash?
PicNews
Governor Umo Eno and his predecessor, Udom Emmanuel, are unlikely to start fighting despite their party differences. Eno defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in June, while Emmanuel remains a stalwart of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). However, Eno has consistently stated that he has no issues with Emmanuel, referring to him as his “political father”.
Some of Eno’s appointees received Emmanuel at the airport when he visited Akwa Ibom State recently, sparking debate about their loyalty to the governor. A media assistant to Senator Godswill Akpabio even suggested that these appointees might be playing a “cloak-and-dagger” political game. Nevertheless, Eno’s brand of politics emphasizes unity and avoiding conflicts.
Eno and Emmanuel seem to maintain a cordial relationship despite their party differences. Eno has visited Emmanuel’s house in Lagos and reportedly had a great time together. Emmanuel’s decision to remain in the PDP doesn’t appear to be a threat to Eno’s ambitions. Instead, it reinforces the party’s identity and preserves its grassroots appeal.
Eno has urged Akwa Ibom people to disregard false narratives aimed at creating disunity, emphasizing the importance of peace and unity in the state. He describes his relationship with Emmanuel as good, stating, “We are in good terms”. Akwa Ibom State has a history of governors quarreling with their predecessors, but Eno’s approach seems to be different. His focus on “Akwa Ibom United” suggests that political differences shouldn’t make people enemies.
