Senate President Akpabio Commends Gov. Eno For Political Unity In Akwa Ibom

The President of the Senate, Dr. Godswill Akpabio, GCON, has commended the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Umo Eno, PhD, for the prevailing political unity in the state, signalling that this will drive development in the state.

Akpabio gave the commendation when the governor led a high-powered delegation of political stalwarts in the state to formally inform him of the decision of the former national legal adviser of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Barr Emmanuel Enoidem, SAN, to join the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Enoidem served as a commissioner for eight years during the administration of Chief Akpabio as governor of Akwa Ibom State. He later served as the national legal adviser of the PDP. He contested under the platform of the PDP against Akpabio in the last senatorial election for Akwa Ibom North West Senatorial District in 2023.

Akpabio, visibly happy while receiving the delegation in his residence in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, said no price was too high to pay for peace and unity to reign in the state, adding that the coming together of different political actors in the state was not just about winning the next election but maintaining the prevailing peace in the state.

A statement by the special assistant on media/communication to the president of the Senate, Mr Anietie Ekong, quoted Akpabio as having said, “Many would think that you have wasted your energy and your time fishing for your children wherever they are.”

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“You are quenching the fire before the fire starts. All you want is peace. If Akwa Ibom cannot remember you for anything else, they will remember you as a true man of peace.

“In my time while contesting for a second term, I witnessed 200 brand new cars and over 500 Keke NAPEP burnt down at the state secretariat. And also the campaign office of the president was burned down. So don’t think you are wasting your time.

“Take a look at what happened during the Yuletide at the Christmas Village. The people were overjoyed, and you could see the peace that permeated everywhere. I am not a pastor, but the Bible says, ‘When the righteous is on the throne, the people rejoice.”

In his remark, Governor Umo Eno said he came with the delegation to inform Akpabio about the decision of one of the illustrious sons of Akwa Ibom State to team up with the APC. “This is someone you have known. There are people whose stories will not be complete without you.

“There is time for everything. There are certain things that we have all agreed on. One is to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to return for a second term. And also to support you, the Senate President, to return to the Senate and by the grace of God retain your position as the President of the Senate. Today we are walking the talk that we are Akwa Ibom United and we can all work together.”

Also speaking, Enoidem described Governor Eno as a “great unifier” and recalled how the governor had persisted in persuading him on the need to join him in the APC.

Addressing the governor, Enoidem said, “Your Excellency, I want to thank you for connecting me back to my former boss. We may have had political disagreements, but Senator Akpabio has remained my boss, and even before today, I had told you I would work for him to return to the Senate.”

“I remember very well when he said he was going to the APC; the governor did not rest. At every point he saw me, whether in church or at any event, he would tell me, ‘My brother, I am very empty without you.’

“On the 9th of January, the governor sent me a message that kept me awake for three different days. For three different days I couldn’t sleep because of that particular text message. I told him I want to pray for three days. That he should wait for those three days to come.

He stormed my house with leaders of Akwa Ibom State that we used to work together for him. That night, it was impossible for me to say no to the governor. And that has given birth to this meeting today.”

“Thank you, Your Excellency, for reconnecting me with my former boss (Akpabio). Because, ordinarily, without your insistence, I wouldn’t be here. I was very comfortable; I was very committed (in the PDP). By my own personal conviction, where I was (PDP) was better, but you (Governor Eno) insisted that I must come here (APC). Today I am happy that I am back with my boss.”

Enoidem was formally received into the APC at a rally in Utu Etim Ekpo, Etim Ekpo Local Government, on Friday.