In Defence of Governor Umo Eno: A Response to Aniekan Udofia’s Diatribe

In Defence of Governor Umo Eno: A Response to Aniekan Udofia’s Diatribe

Today begun like every other, until I stumbled on Aniekan Udofia’s piece, echoing his heart and criticizing the Governor Umo Eno’s administration.

While the Governor has severally been disposed to constructive criticism, it is necessary to correct what has not been put right and like His Excellency has often said, when you criticize, also proffer recommendations.

His Excellency, Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State

While we cannot dismiss Aniekan Udofia’s “acclaimed relationship” with the Governor in the past or present, it is important to note as follows;

Thousands of Akwa Ibomites have access to the Governor on daily basis and His Excellency has given that opportunity to the people. He has reiterated publicly that he is a message away from citizens of the state.

The above invariably means that, we do not have an elitist Governor in Akwa Ibom State, but a grassroot Governor who connects directly with the people without a third party.

I don’t think that there is any political Appointee of the Governor who is not courageous as sought by the writer. Those who have been appointed By His Excellency, holds their forte in their different endeavours and are courageous men and women of substance.

For clarity, I do not know who labelled Aniekan Udofia as an enemy of the government, or the persons who have done so, but truth be told, people have lost friends and made new ones in their everyday lives, and not necessarily because they’re in government or are critical of the government, but because life can actually take a twist in a split of seconds.

I have read the piece with mixed feelings and hold a contrary opinion to part of what Aniekan wrote, because whatever private meetings or conversations he held with the Governor, then as an Aspirant or Guber Candidate, should have remained private.

You always get to the point in your life, where you have nothing to prove to anyone, or seek for status conferral or public validation and this is the point where I think Aniekan has reach.

I do not also think that Aniekan is the first person for whatever reason, that did not work for the Governor, neither will he be the last. People decline even the most juicy offer for reasons best known to them.

In retrospect, he said, “As I listened to the passion and plans Pastor Umo Eno had for Akwa Ibom State, I asked myself, “Can His Excellency tolerate my kind in his government? Can His Excellency tolerate my boldness when I walk up to him and say, “Your Excellency, this shouldn’t be done in this manner.” Can His Excellency stand it, When I say, ” I can’t do it because that is not how should be done.” Can His Excellency stand my critical and constructive view on his actions? These and many more questions crossed my mind. At the moment, I wanted to speak out my concerns. The current SSG Enobong Uwah came into the office, and I decided to be quiet and listened to Pastor Eno. I gave him my commitment that I would be honored to work for him.”

Everyone who has a relationship with the Governor knows that he is a lover of truth. Your courage ability to tell the Governor the truth, is one endearing attribute His Excellency loves so much.

If Aniekan knew the Governor too well like he had put forward, he should have known that it would’ve been the Governor’s delight to see him speak truth to power without holding back.

Governor Umo Eno has operated with an open heart, receiving ideas, condemnation, criticisms and all of it, from Akwa Ibom people.

No one is a compendium of knowledge and the Governor has never claimed to be all knowing, this is a verified fact, so, the question of whether the Governor would have tolerated Aniekan ‘s kind, holds no water, because i don’t think there’s any character the Governor has not worked with or tolerated since his days as a private businessman and now Governor.

While we appreciate Aniekan Udofia for his contributions of articles in the early days of the administration, it is not new for anyone to taunt another person of seeking for appointments.

No matter what you do, some persons will always disagree with your position and we also need to understand that, there are people still contributing to writing articles for the administration that are also waiting be rewarded or are seen to be currying for one favour or the other.

No one holds the exclusive right to tilt society’s expressions or opinions to favour them. Aniekan is a Journalist and should always expect diverse opinions and expectations when he writes.

The Governor loves talents and intellectuals and has not failed in rewarding intellectual contributions to his administration, so, he cannot fault the Governor on that.

Expressing worries over the Governor’s policies and criticizing it, is not new to this administration and will never be to administrations in future.

This is the reason the Governor encourages citizens to also participate in governance, bearing in mind that, everyone cannot agree to government policies.

Aniekan Udofia’s expression of criticism on the administration, is part of his civic responsibility as a citizen of the state and he is within his right to do so.

Truthfully, even if Governor Umo Eno will move house to house and share long life and prosperity, he will still be criticized for doing so.

No policies of government has ever been holistically accepted, that is why Governor Umo Eno once said, that his duty as a Leader is to see beyond what others don’t see, and we will agree that, this is one administration that has been generally accepted by the people of the state.

According to the writer, friends in government have chosen to distance themselves from him, but I do not know on which premise he wrote that, because since Governor Umo Eno came on board in 2023, hitherto opposition party members were mixing up and are still doing so till date. The Governor has continued to preach the gospel of unity till date.

If there are people in government who have distanced themselves from him, then it can’t be because of his criticism of the Governor and he needs to review his relationships.

It is quite disappointing that the writer could describe the Governor’s Appointees with “cowardice,” not minding his language of expression and this raises a question whether this whole episode is a personal vendetta on the Governor or his Appointees.

If Appointees have chosen to make the Governor a cult Hero, why should it bother Aniekan? His Excellency calls the shot and his appointees can choose to worship or adore him as they wish, and it should not be something that bothers anyone, because the Governor is my Boss, and if I describe him as my lord and personal saviour, why should that be a pain to you, brother?

Would you have rather wish that Appointees leave the man paying them salaries to work and now make you, Aniekan Udofia their cult Hero?

I do not know how many Aides of the Governor that Aniekan has related with to make such a blanket statement that “Aides freeze at the sight of the Governor and Commissioners cannot face the Governor with a blueprint for their ministries for fear.”

Having read such diatribe from Aniekan Udofia, I want to congratulate him first, on appointing himself as a Commissioner and being a Member of the State Executive Council and sees how these Commissioners tremble before the Governor.

Journalism thrives on facts, and when I read things like this, I begin to query the entry process of Aniekan Udofia in journalism because this is indeed sicky to read.

It is indeed sad to read the once vibrant Aniekan Udofia descend so low to make himself all knowing and knows all that are happening within the government circle, from the Aides of Governor, to the Media team to Commissioners to elected officials. How else can one describe himself as a dream thin god if not with such imaginations?

I challenge Aniekan Udofia to name those in the government who are secretly relying on opposition for things to be done for them and also those who “laud the onslaught against the Governor. ”

We should not write because we feel like writing to abuse people or be critical of what doesn’t align with our thoughts, we should seek to profer solutions instead of this intended pull down syndrome that is raising its ugly head.

We encourage those who are writing to be constructive in their criticisms, this is what the Governor has continued to advocate for.

Remember, what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas.

Dr. Eneh John is a Special Assistant to the Governor on Media and Associate, Nigerian Institute of Public Relations.
25082025.