Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State has denied being behind any group to truncate the second-term aspiration of President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Eno, who was elected on the ticket of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), described such allegations as a “politically motivated hatchet job, maliciously concocted and a rich cocktail of lies and blackmail.”
Reacting to a publication by a group known as Concerned Members of the All Progressives Congress in Akwa Ibom State which had alleged that the governor in partnership with the minister of Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo had formed a group, he said intended to cause a strain in the relationship with President Tinubu.
In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Ekerette Udoh, the governor however acknowledged the warm relationship existing between him and the president adding that “the promoters of this faceless group hate the current peace, amity, and spirit of bipartisanship which Governor Eno has promoted in the State.”
The statement read in part: “We wish to state categorically that Governor Umo Eno has not formed any such clandestine alliance as the group falsely and maliciously stated.
“It is unfortunate to note that while President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is rallying the nation to support his bold and audacious economic plans aimed at taking our nation out of the current economic challenges—which Governor Umo Eno has enthusiastically and openly endorsed and has severally canvassed support for—this faceless group could maliciously concoct such lies, falsehoods, and blackmail against the Governor.
“Truth be told, Governor Eno is focused on working collaboratively with the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led Federal Government, the National Assembly led by Distinguished Senator Godswill Akpabio, our son, to achieve the Arise Agenda for the betterment of the people of Akwa Ibom State.
“This is the time for governance and not for political gamesmanship.
“Governor Eno respects and supports President Tinubu, and believes that if his administration succeeds, we all succeed.
“He will continue to support the President as well as the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, GCON.
“He enjoys a warm relationship with the Honourable Minister of Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, and both are working together to bring development to the State, especially in the oil and gas sector, of which Akwa Ibom State is a leading producer.”
He said the said advertorial should be dismissed for what it represents: a hatchet job by enemies of peace and tranquillity.
