Akwa Ibom: mixed views to Udom’s choice of successor

Governor Udom Emmanuel’s announcement of Umo Eno, his commissioner for lands and water resources, as his chosen successor as governor of the state has been a mixed bag of uncomfortable calm and astonishment. 

Udom introduced Eno, the state commissioner for Lands and Water Resources, to stakeholders during a meeting in Uyo, the state capital, and later named him as his successor. 

Since the announcement, there have been mixed reactions, with opinions divided on the choice, despite the fact that he will still have to go through the party’s primaries to become its flag bearer and why he was chosen.  

Onofiok Like, a member of the House of Representatives and a gubernatorial contender, was the first to respond, claiming that he was present at the stakeholders meeting but was never briefed about the topic. 

According to him, he accepted the governor’s invitation “out of respect and as a faithful party guy. I honored the governor’s innocent invitation to a meeting this evening at the lodge, adding that “Umo Eno was offered as the governor’s pick for succession.” He said. 

“I learned about the agenda and option for the first time at the abovementioned meeting, and no one had discussed it with me previous to the meeting;  

“I am not opposed to the governor’s selection by my local government, federal district, or my brother’s goal.” 

“However, as a fellow contender from the same local government who will have the same benefit if elected, my ambition to serve the state as governor remains on track.” 

He asked his followers to remember that “we remain as steadfast as ever in our ambition to provide our people with meaningful leadership in the office of governor come 2023.”