Akwa Ibom State Executive Council endorses Pastor Umo Eno for Guber race come 2023

…As Pastor Sunny Ibuot, Ini Ememobong, Etteh, vow to mobilize constituents for Umo Eno’s success

Barely thirteen days after his official unveiling as the preferred successor to Governor Udom Emmanuel, the Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Lands and Water Resources, Pastor Umo Eno, the highest caucus of the Akwa Ibom State Government, the State Executive Council, has unanimously adopted and endorsed Pastor Eno as their candidate for the 2023 Governorship election.

The endorsement by the State Executive Council is seen as a major boost that has cleared the pathway for the smooth emergence of Pastor Eno as the PDP Governorship candidate in the forthcoming PDP primaries and the general election in 2023.

The event which took place during a consultation visit by the Umo Eno Campaign Organization to Commissioners and Special Advisers on Friday, was held at the residence of the Dean, College of Commissioners and Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr Glory Edet in Uyo.

Speaking during the consultative visit, the Director General, DG, Umo Eno Campaign Organization, Amb Assam Assam, SAN, thanked Governor Udom Emmanuel for granting the permission for Exco members to meet with the Campaign Organization and commended members of the State Exco for their support and solidarity.

He described the Exco as the second primary constituency of Pastor Umo Eno which is why the total and overwhelming support and endorsement of the Exco is strategically important, admonishing that their support will go a long way to ensure that the dream of achieving a well thought out, strategic continuity is realized.

Also speaking, the National Chairman, Maintain Peace Movement, MPM, Hon Barr Emmanuel Enoidem, said members of Exco are bound to support Pastor Eno first, because the Governor, himself the Chairman and member of Exco, had already adopted and endorsed Pastor Eno, secondly, because Umo Eno is a member of Exco and their colleague and thirdly, that all Exco members being members of MPM had earlier given their commitment to stand by whosoever the Governor picks as his preferred successor, adding that by virtue of the spirit of esprit de corps, Umo Eno automatically has their unwavering and unconditional support.

Addressing the gathering, the Governorship hopeful, Pastor Umo Eno noted that everybody was waiting and longing for the Governor’s endorsement, emphasizing that the endorsement by His Excellency cannot stop the process, describing critics of his endorsement by the Governor are unfair because the decision of the Governor can be likened to a man with many girlfriends who has to choose one as his wife and despite making his choice, he is still criticized on his decision to marry.

“As a Governor who has worked with all Exco members, he is conscious of the need for continuity and only a member of Exco can understand the intricacies of the Completion Agenda and continuity, sustainability and accountability. I am one of you, let us consolidate together, consolidate on Industrialization together, consolidate together to have a continuity agenda that will crate jobs, boost Small and Medium Enterprise, SME’s, agriculture, ICT. This is what we want in Akwa Ibom State. I know from today you have my back as we will continue to expand the many legacies of the Governor,” he stated.

Responding, the Commissioner for Labor and Manpower, Hon Pastor Sunny Ibuot who spoke on behalf of Commissioners from Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District, noted with delight that he is happy the Governor kept his promise which he pledged that his successor will come from the Exco, stating that it was fulfilling that one of them has been chosen.

Speaking on behalf of Commissioners from Uyo Senatorial District, Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Comrade Ini Ememobong, expressed gratitude to God that Pastor Eno was chosen, promising that as the Governor’s first line of attack and last line of defence, they will do all to market the Umo Eno 2023 aspiration

On his part, Commissioner for Special Duties, Hon Okpulum Etteh, who spoke on behalf of Commissioners from Eket Senatorial District, said the 2023 Governorship bid of Pastor Eno is not a new political battle to them. “We will never betray our product. If we betray this product, we’re betraying ourselves. Eket Senatorial District will market and support Umo Eno”, he vowed.

On her part, the host and Dean, College of Commissioners, Dr Glory Edet, assured Pastor Eno of the total support and solidarity of Exco members, submitting that members have no reason not to support anyone the Governor choose, because according to her, “the hand of God is upon Pastor Umo Eno’s aspiration”.

She explained that only one person can be Governor at a time, but that it does not mean the Governor hates other aspirants but no man can stop what is divinely written. “Do not be afraid. God is with you. We will mobilize our various local government areas and constituencies towards achieving success. You are a committed Exco member who is resourceful and result oriented. Go make us proud,” she admonished.

Commissioner for Youths and Sports, Sir Monday Uko, who gave the vote of thanks also re-echoed Exco decision of giving their all towards the realization of the Umo Eno 2023 Governorship project.

Move Media Team