Akwa Ibom
Governor Umo Eno Receives First Open Letter With Warning From Isine
Governor Umo Eno Receives First Open Letter With Warning From Isine
No harm intended
I write this letter with the deepest respect for you, not just as the Executive Governor of Akwa Ibom State, but also as a man I have personally admired for your humility, compassion, and genuine desire to better the lives of our people. I do not engage in praise and worship save for the Almighty God.
As a result, this is not a political attack or a subtle attempt at praise-singing and should not be construed as such under any circumstances. This is a genuine conversation and an honest intervention. I am doing this because I believe you deserve to hear the truth, no matter how unpleasant it is.
The stakes are too high and the whispers too loud to continue to stay silent. It is time to speak the bitter truth openly and offer some perspectives that may help you make an informed decision.
Your Excellency, there is widespread speculation that you are considering defecting from your political party to another platform. You have been making veiled statements about it in many forums, and you talked about it recently in Ukanafun, when you shared the analogy of leaving Ibom Air to board Air Peace if the former encounters problems.
If you truly wish to defect, I must urge you to reconsider your own political future and the destiny of Akwa Ibom State. As a curator of history, I am aware that the political platform on which you contested the last election is more than just a party in the state; it is a strong political ecosystem. It is the platform that provided you with the political identity, structure, and legitimacy.
It is the house built with the blood, sweat, and sacrifice of thousands of dedicated citizens, some of whom gave up all to assure your victory. The concept of abandoning this platform to join another that is currently struggling to keep the country together is not just dangerous; it can be potentially catastrophic.
History is a Beautiful Mirror
Allow me, Your Excellency, to draw your attention to the story of our elder brother, Senator Godswill Akpabio—a man who once commanded the same political and emotional loyalty you have now. During his administration, Akpabio gained a cult following. Many of the people who are now shouting “strategy” and “realignment” in your ear used to be on his “praise and worship team.”
They sang his praises, nicknamed him the “Uncommon Transformer,” and worshiped at his political altar with fanatical fervor. However, when he defected and the tides shifted and the carrots stopped dropping, they did not hesitate to spew the vilest insults on him. They mocked him after he lost the senatorial election in 2019.
They forgot all the things he had done for them and how he invited them into the political kitchen to eat sumptuously from the delicacies of our common patrimony. They were more concerned with the platform that fed them than with his legacy and the friendship they shared. No absurd word was spared when addressing him.
The history is a very beautiful thing and it is right in front of us to see. Just look at those who got there before you: Chief Don Etiebet, the late Obong Ime Umana, Chief Umana Umana, Chief Nsima Ekere, and Senator John Udoedehe, (to mention a few), who were once towering figures who played pivotal roles in shaping the party in Akwa Ibom and Abuja.
Today, many of them are on the sidelines, watching from a distance as the game continues without them. What happened to them is not a folktale. It is a real-time reminder that the terrain is far from predictable.
Permit me to remind you, Your Excellency, that many well-meaning citizens of Akwa Ibom wrote openly to your predecessor, Deacon Udom Emmanuel, during his time in office.
They appealed to him to make certain course corrections to avoid potential challenges after leaving office. These concerned individuals did not just offer criticism—they gave constructive feedback and practical recommendations for improvement.
Ironically, many of the same voices now singing your praises were, at the time, among those who harshly attacked these citizens for daring to speak the truth to power. Yet, as time has shown, history has vindicated those who spoke out.
WARNING
Beware of Chronic Praise Worshippers
Your Excellency, it has always been my duty to speak truth to power. I have never insulted any Akwa Ibom leader, and I never will.
But those who may attack me for offering you this honest advice—or falsely claim that I am your enemy—are the same individuals who rely on sycophancy to survive and will never speak the truth to you. Do not be swayed by the mushroom organisations that will suddenly emerge to endorse your defection. Promoting such causes is how they earn a living—they do not genuinely care about your success. Their interest lies not in your vision, but in what they can extract from the system.
These individuals once served Governor Victor Attah with praise yet turned against him when he clashed with his political son, Godswill Akpabio. They later insulted Akpabio when Udom Emmanuel took over. God forbid, if you ever disagree with Udom Emmanuel, they will not hesitate to insult him too, just to prove their “loyalty” to you.
But that is not loyalty. That is stomach loyalty at its worst. True loyalty is grounded in honesty, courage, and the willingness to speak the truth for the greater good, even when it is uncomfortable.
I do not believe those who offered constructive criticism were against Governor Emmanuel then, just as I am not against you now. I bear no ill will toward anyone whom God has chosen to lead our beloved state. My only interest is in seeing Akwa Ibom thrive under a leadership that is responsive, inclusive, and accountable.
Another sobering reality: most of the top political leaders, grassroots mobilisers, and party loyalists who gave you their blood and soul during the previous election may not follow you to the new party. I believe their viewpoint may be unequivocal: we are PDP through and through. They may not join you for financial gain, political power, or sentimental reasons.
These are the people that worked tirelessly to safeguard your mandate. Many fought tooth and claw to persuade naysayers that you were the proper guy for the job. To see you turn your back on the platform that enabled your rise will feel like betrayal—and they will not forget.
The Grass might not be as Green across the Fence
Let us be frank, Sir. The destination you have in mind might not be as welcoming as you think. Right now, it is like navigating a leaking canoe through a hurricane, only that the waters are already crowded with well-fed political sharks engaged in a never-ending swimming contest, each determined to outflank the other. And let us not kid ourselves.
You are well aware of someone who practically owns the GPS coordinates of the party’s structure in Akwa Ibom and has Abuja on speed dial. Thinking you will simply walk in and take control of the structure is not confidence. It is an experiment at political suicide.
Staying in your current party is not just about loyalty. It is a strategic move for the stability and progress of Akwa Ibom State. The reality is that your party is solid at home. The structure is intact, you are firmly in control, and there is peace on your side of the fence. You have the support, the breathing space, and the political capital to fully deliver on your ARISE Agenda.
Better still, you are already enjoying bipartisan goodwill, which is a rare currency in Nigeria’s political marketplace. So, why trade all that for a plunge into uncertainty, endless turf wars, and the very real risk of a possible public embarrassment? Sometimes, the smartest move is knowing when to stay the course.
Your Excellency, no one can lawfully hinder your decision should you choose to defect because you are a free moral agent, eligible to make political decisions in line with your convictions.
But it is important to reflect deeply on the far-reaching implications of such a move. Should you proceed along that path, you may inevitably forfeit control over the political structure you have inherited and so diligently consolidated. It is a possibility.
Umo Eno
Unlike in Delta State, where the governor has become the leader of the new party on defection, you may not enjoy that privilege unless you push hard for it on the negotiation table.
If not, in the new political territory, you would be subordinated to an already entrenched power bloc, led by the party’s most influential figure in the state, who is also the third highest-ranking official in the country.
Those who have stood with you would be compelled to start afresh, taking their place at the end of the queue in a system where loyalty has long been pledged elsewhere.
And crucially, the freedom you currently enjoy shaping your succession may be significantly curtailed; the latitude that enabled your own emergence may not be extended to you in kind.
Even more worrisome is that regardless of the assurances or agreements you may extract in the process of defection, the odds will remain firmly stacked against you.
Political pacts, however promising they may appear on paper, are often subject to shifting tides and competing interests.
In such a terrain, agreements are elusive, and influence is neither automatic nor enduring.
AN OPEN LETTER TO GOVERNOR UMO ENO – Part 1
By Ibanga Isine
To our dear Governor, Pastor Umo Eno.
…to be continued
World Teachers’ Day: Governor Umo Eno Declares October 5 Teaching-Free Day in Akwa Ibom
The Akwa Ibom State Government, in collaboration with the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT), Akwa Ibom State Wing, has declared Monday, October 5, 2026, a teaching-free day across the state to enable teachers to participate fully in the 2026 World Teachers’ Day celebration.
Eereporter.com
The special celebration will take place at the Uyo Township Stadium by 11:00 a.m., with the Executive Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Umo Eno, Ph.D., as the Special Guest of Honour.
The event will be held under the theme: “Standing with Teachers: 60 Years of Protecting the Profession, Advancing its Status and Shaping our Futures.”
According to the state government, all public primary and secondary schools across Akwa Ibom will be closed on Monday to allow teachers from the 31 Local Government Areas to attend the celebration.
The government said the occasion would provide an opportunity to honour and appreciate teachers for their contributions to education, human capital development and the overall progress of the state.
It also reaffirmed the commitment of the Umo Eno-led administration to improving teachers’ welfare, professional development, dignity and working conditions.
The government highlighted its interventions in school infrastructure, teacher recruitment and development, human capital development, teachers’ welfare and the provision of conducive learning environments.
Umo Eno
It described education as a major pillar of the ARISE Agenda, stressing that teachers remain central to the success of the education system and the development of the next generation.
The state government also commended the Nigerian Union of Teachers for its partnership in promoting industrial harmony, professional excellence and the dignity of the teaching profession in Akwa Ibom.
The government called on teachers, education stakeholders, parents, students and members of the public to join in celebrating teachers and recognising their contributions to the development of Akwa Ibom State and Nigeria.
Eereporter.com
Gov Eno Flags Off Ikot Ekpene International Market, Targets Trade, Jobs, Economic Growth
Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has officially unveiled the design and performed the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of the Ikot Ekpene International Market, describing the project as a strategic investment in trade, employment and economic development.
Eereporter.com
The ceremony, held on Wednesday, September 30, as part of activities marking the 39th anniversary of Akwa Ibom State, took place in Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area.
Speaking at the event, Governor Eno said the project demonstrated his administration’s commitment to delivering tangible infrastructure across the state.
He recalled earlier questions from the opposition regarding the number and location of the 39 projects promised as part of the anniversary activities.
“When we first started, the opposition asked, ‘Where are the 39 projects?’
“Today, we can gladly tell them to come and see,” the Governor said.
Governor Eno explained that the project was not merely about constructing a market but about investing in the economic future of Akwa Ibom State.
“Today, we are not just laying a foundation or turning the sod for this market; we are laying a foundation for prosperity, building infrastructure for opportunities, and creating a platform upon which our traders, entrepreneurs, artisans, manufacturers, and young people can build their dreams,” he said.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Trade and Investment, Captain Iniobong Ekong (Rtd.), said the project reflected the administration’s efforts to position Akwa Ibom as a hub for trade, tourism and industrialisation.
According to him, the first phase of the market comprises 30 blocks of double-deck structures containing 108 shops, alongside two warehouses, restaurants, cold rooms, a police station, asphalt and concrete roads.
Ekong said the strategic location of the market would attract traders and customers from neighbouring states and beyond, particularly Cross River, Abia and Rivers states, as well as Cameroon.
“Upon completion, this market is going to generate income and revenue, create employment, and connect us with the trade hubs of the Gulf of Guinea,” he said.
The Director-General of Campaigns, Ambassador Chief Assam Assam (SAN), commended Governor Eno for initiating the project, noting that its strategic location would make it accessible to communities across the state.
He recalled the Governor’s earlier promise to establish an international market in Ikot Ekpene, describing the project as the fulfilment of that commitment.
“I remember that the Governor was in Ikot Ekpene Stadium when he said he was going to build an international market in Ikot Ekpene. This market is this Governor’s dream child,” Assam said.
Speaking on behalf of stakeholders in the area, Senator Emmanuel Ibokessien said the project was conceived by the people of Ikot Ekpene in 2010 but remained unrealised through successive administrations.
He commended Governor Eno for actualising the project.
“This project started in 2010 when it was conceived by the people of Ikot Ekpene. And through three administrations, this project did not see the light of day, but when you came with the finisher’s anointing, this project is now actualised,” he said.
Earlier, the Chairman of Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area, Hon. Elder Aniefiok Nkom, expressed appreciation to Governor Eno for commencing the long-awaited project.
Nkom recalled previous discussions on the economic importance of the market, noting that its location was expected to redirect commercial traffic and attract traders who ordinarily travel to other commercial centres.
He described the Governor as “a man of his word,” saying the people of Ikot Ekpene were excited by the commencement of the project.
Ikot Ekpene International Market
The Paramount Ruler of Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area, His Royal Majesty, Okuku Okon Udo Ukut, also expressed gratitude to the Governor, describing the project as a significant development for the area.
Upon completion, the Ikot Ekpene International Market is expected to strengthen commercial activities, create employment opportunities and expand Akwa Ibom State’s trade links with neighbouring states and the wider Gulf of Guinea region.
Eereporter.com
2026 NECO: Akwa Ibom Government Rejects ‘False’ Ranking, Says 83 Centres’ Results Pending
The Akwa Ibom State Government has dismissed as false and misleading a report circulating on social media which purportedly ranked the state among the lowest-performing states in the 2026 National Examinations Council (NECO) results.
Eereporter.com
The State Commissioner for Information, Rt. Hon. Aniekan Umanah, said the report was based on a performance chart that did not represent the official data released by NECO.
Umanah explained that although NECO released the 2026 examination results on September 24, 2026, the performance chart published by Premium Times was not an official NECO document, contrary to the impression created by the publication.
According to the Commissioner, while the published chart placed Abia, Ebonyi and Ekiti States first, second and third respectively, the official NECO data identifies Kano, Lagos and Oyo States as the first, second and third-ranked states.
He further disclosed that NECO was yet to release the results of 83 out of the 214 examination centres operated by public schools in Akwa Ibom State.
He said the examination body was still completing the sorting and verification of the statutory accreditation status of the affected centres.
Umanah therefore described any attempt to rank or assess the overall performance of Akwa Ibom at this stage as premature, noting that the outstanding results could affect the state’s final performance assessment.
The Commissioner urged media organisations to exercise greater diligence when reporting examination statistics, particularly where official results are still being processed.
He reaffirmed the commitment of the administration of Governor Umo Eno to the development of education, noting that the sector remains a major priority under the ARISE Agenda.
Umanah said the 2026 Approved Budget provides more than ₦35 billion for education, while ₦5.9 billion has been released to the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) for basic education intervention projects for 2025 and 2026.
He added that the state government had continued to construct model primary schools across the state to provide pupils with conducive learning environments.
According to him, the government has also paid bursaries to students and covered examination fees for candidates sitting for Placement Examinations, the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE), National Business and Technical Examinations Board (NABTEB) examinations and the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).
Beyond infrastructure and institutional support, Umanah said Governor Umo Eno had continued to provide direct assistance to young people pursuing higher education.
He cited the Governor’s recent approval of full overseas tuition support for a young graduate to pursue a master’s degree abroad, as well as an earlier scholarship awarded to a young law graduate from the Government Children’s Home to enable her pursue a master’s degree overseas.
The Commissioner said the interventions demonstrated the administration’s commitment to expanding access to quality education and creating opportunities for young Akwa Ibom people to pursue their academic and professional aspirations.
Umo Eno
Umanah consequently urged members of the public to disregard the Premium Times publication and similar claims based on the purported performance chart, stressing that they do not reflect the official NECO data currently available.
He advised the public to rely on verified and authoritative sources, particularly information released by NECO, for accurate updates on the 2026 examination results.
Eereporter.com
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