Richard Peters
Since the unveiling of Pst Umo Eno as Governor Udom Emmanuel’s preferred successor, dissenting voices of the few christened as architects of micro-zoning have not seized to lobby for a hearing in the public court of justice, but their efforts have always met the brick wall since theirs is an argument that doesn’t hold water. The exposure of Akwa Ibom people and their experiences over the years have put them in a position where they are good judges of conscience and can never be cowed into supporting an aspirant who won’t take them to where they ought to be. The massive infrastructural achievements of Gov. Udom Emmanuel and the blueprint of a 21st century Akwa Ibom clearly pictured in the global economic map is one that has given him a good place in the hearts of every good conscientious Akwa Ibom person, hence the wide and stressless acceptability of Umo Eno across the length and breadth of Akwa Ibom.
It is common knowledge to know that every leader knows the pains that accompany leadership and such leader has a critical role to play in ensuring that he produces a successor that will sustain such hard earned legacies, especially one gotten through hardship and during the economic downturn caused by the ravaging coronavirus pandemic.The corona virus pandemic that took the world by surprise in early 2020 grounded many world economies, but with Gov. Emmanuel’s excellent and prudent management skills, Akwa Ibom state was still up and doing, projects executed and completed, such that many state Governors came to Akwa Ibom to learn the magic fingers of governance from Udom Emmanuel. Who in Gov. Emmanuel’s shoes would not opt for a capable hand to sustain such legacies? Your guess is as good as mine.
It was as a result of the foregoing that Gov. Emmanuel sought the face of God for a successor. People wailed that it took so much time to name his preferred successor, but in the fullness of time after several confirmations, Pst. Umo Eno was named as a man after God’s heart to lead Akwa Ibom people come 2023.
Before now, the political climate was very tensed with blackmail, propaganda and politics of sentiments and pull-him-down dancing in the air, but after the unveiling, peace came and the hitherto toxic atmosphere was laid to rest. This is the first sign that God is involved in Umo Eno’s aspiration. This is also proven by the wide endorsement and support given to Umo Eno by party delegates, political structures, groups, professional bodies, christian bodies, and the common man in the village.
There is no gainsaying the fact that a good product sells itself. The seller doesn’t struggle to sell a good product. That is why it is not difficult to market Umo Eno who has a clean score sheet in both public and private services. He has served in many companies without any dent, and has run his companies for over 25 years without any dent. What a clean record! This necessitated the massive testimonies about his track records by political stakeholders and people who have had dealings with him in time past.
But why has the heathen raged and the few architects of micro-zoning imagined vain things? Truth is, light and darkness cannot stay under one roof, as one would always swallow up the other. Darkness will never comprehend light. Why the fuming, venting and open declaration of frustration by a few individuals who thought the governorship seat would be given to them as a birthday gift?
Gov. Emmanuel’s preference of Umo Eno does not in anyway close the door for other aspirants to show their popularity. The party is still open for any aspirant to make his intentions known. No order has been given that the party should not sell nomination and declaration of intention forms to others. The doors of consultation are not shut and the gate of endorsement is still wide open, so why the open show of helplessness by a few persons?
Umo Eno who understood the science of governance (maybe because of the fact that he studied political science) did not waste time in selling his ideas and plans to stakeholders of the party, traditional rulers, religious leaders, the youths groups, men and women associations and elders as well as other political blocs available. That is courtesy, respect and humility showcased by a man who understands the mechanics of governance and politics. Such move does not in any way prevent other aspirants from doing their bids, perhaps they may garner a few sympathetic endorsement and kinsmen sundry support. Umo Eno is so smart and ready for this job, and no one can beat that.
Instead of others to follow suit, they are looking for ways to stage violence and kidnapping to paint a picture that Akwa Ibom is not peaceful, so that they can have what to hold to discredit Udom Emmanuel’s administration. But it has failed again as their antics are brought to limelight.
Granted, the political space is like a market place where people go to buy and sell. Buyers go to where they see good products that fancy their desires. Why then are others afraid of marketing their products and ideas? Why is a greater percentage of the aspirants going back to their shelves and a few of their supporters crying and wailing when they have an open market to sample their products? The landmass of Akwa Ibom is said to be occupying over 6 million people, a large market to sell, but why are they against one product (Umo Eno) when they have a larger space to display their goods. Is someone afraid of the intimidating credentials of Umo Eno?
Umo Eno is sharing his ideas on a daily basis, and people are queueing behind his lofty plans and ideas for Akwa Ibom people. His idea of a Youth House for Akwa youths will take many youths off the streets and position them where they shall be useful to the nation. His Agricultural plans will turn Akwa Ibom into the food basket of Africa and his entrepreneurial initiatives will raise many entrepreneurs such as never been heard of in the history of Nigeria. Who would not go for a man who has these and more to offer?
While the people are still celebrating Umo Eno’s Wide endorsement and acceptance, we were greeted with a powerless argument from the number one house of comedy in the state- the APC, where they said the choice of Umo Eno will be the worst thing that would happen to the state. One doesn’t need to waste strength to respond to a party that is on a life support machine; a party that is still divided against itself and one that cannot organize ward congress without war. The APC has lost its little voice in the state and can only show sign of life by communicating through shedding of crocodile tears. The people have noticed their frustration and have sympathized with them.
Finally, it is still difficult to situate the recent attack on the Apostolic Church over what the church described as the home coming of their son. Umo Eno was an ordained pastor of the Apostolic Church before he received the call of God to start his ministry. Leaving the church to start his own didn’t put him at enmity with the body of Christ, as he still maintained a good relationship with the church. His decision to seek the blessing of his fathers at the Akwa Ibom state territory of the Apostolic Church was not out of place. No father would deny to bless a good son who seeks His blessing. Even the Bible records that if an evil father would not give his son who asked for bread a stone, how much more God who is righteous?
A greater percentage of those who fumed and threatened to leave the church if checked, only visit church during children dedication ceremonies or ordination services because their stomachs would be filled.
Needless to say that the Apostolic Church, just like the Akwa Ibom chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) did no wrong to pray for and bless a humble servant who has gone to them for prayers. Any other aspirant can do same, and then we can judge if they would be denied such privilege.
Truth is, darkness will never support light and there is little or nothing one can do about that. Umo Eno is light and those with dark hearts will never say anything good about him. For him to have gone this far in just few weeks of his unveiling is a sign of capacity, passion for leadership and preparedness to still put Akwa Ibom on track, and bring his wealth of experience in the business world to bear in the economic turnaround of our dear state. This is the best gift for Akwa Ibom people. “Mmebó Enö.” Continue Reading
