The Governor Umo Bassey Eno that I Know 

The Governor Umo Bassey Eno that I Know 

By Tommy E. Enodien, PhD

Ordinarily, no serious-minded person should waste time reacting to the cocktail of lies concocted and sponsored daily by political self-defeatists to defame the character of Pst. Umo Bassey Eno PhD, except for the obvious fact that falsehood may appear to be truth to the unsuspecting public if unchallenged. Also, there is the need to always rise to the condemnation of all forms and manifestations of campaigns of calumny, and the deliberate fabrications of emotive conditions that are desperately aimed at diminishing, tarnishing or sullying the hard earned reputations of fellow human beings.

It is regrettable that, with the availability of social networks, anyone can create, publish, and distribute ideas, observations, news and information without any hindrance, vetting or censorship from anybody. Content – true, false or malicious can now travel wide and wild around the world through a myriad of connected channels and people. There are no longer Gatekeepers or Press Councils to regulate or edit anything. Anybody can peddle rumours, slander or spread lies and fly with it. This is the challenge in the freedom and opportunity offered by social media. IF NOT, why would someone just wake up and publish a claim that the Governor deducts a 15% tithe from the salaries of all his Aides? Or the incessant and open social media insults on the respected office of the Governor mostly fueled by malice, bitterness and anger? etc

However, those of us on the side of decency who have access to social media platforms must continue to present to the public truthful and decent information; uphold ethics of truth; and remain resolute in protecting the interest of the people. I know the challenge will be on how to remain calm and conversational in the face of provocations, false and mischievous commentators, hostile engagements and confrontations. We must train ourselves on how to answer their hate with love. We must maintain our cool; employ civility in every conversation and communication geared towards fighting the mis-information agents.

It is crystal clear that the detractors of Pst. Umo Eno, PhD want to twist obvious facts to suit their invidious motives. Their intentions are glaringly not in the interest of the Akwa Ibom people. They are only threatened by the soaring popularity of Pst. Umo Eno since he assumed the Governorship position of our dear State on May 29, 2023.

However, the good news is that, THE PASTOR UMO ENO THAT I KNOW, will remain immovable and unshakeable in his firm commitment to the principles he believes in, no matter the odds. He will not be distracted by the antics of a few disgruntled elements, whose stock in trade is to blackmail and spread falsehood. In other words, no amount of blackmail and campaign of calumny will detract him from his focus of delivering the dividends of democracy to the people, especially the downtrodden and hapless ones in the State..

I conclude with the following advice to Pst Umo Eno’s assuming political opponents and political self-defeatists who are too embittered to be assuaged by Pst. Umo Eno’s well-thought-out plan to further the development of Akwa Ibom State:

First, they should always apply simple logic to their campaign of hate. In their fabrications, they should re-calibrate and relearn the fundamentals of reasoning and logic because the game has gone a few notches higher.

Secondly, they should channel the energy, money, time and passion devoted to these campaigns of calumny into showcasing their own little contributions to the growth and development of Akwa Ibom State and her people, before and after their failed bids to be Governor, or to be relevant in the present day government. However, I know this is a difficult advice to adhere to because most of these sponsors of blackmail actually do not have anything tangible, meaningful and sustainable to showcase in this regard.