By Mary Martins
All personal aides to the Akwa Ibom State Governor are solidly behind him and are fully ready to celebrate the new political course of progress charted by Pastor Umo Eno,PhD.
The Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Research and Documentation, Dr Essien Ndueso, stated this in a media interview in Uyo.
Dr. Ndueso, who is also the Dean of the College of Personal Aides, maintained that all his colleagues, including senior special assistants, special assistants and personal assistants to the Governor, have pledged their fidelity to the renewed hope/ARISE Agenda united for progress.
“As we speak, the Governor’s aides will all be present at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium on Saturday to celebrate their boss and his peaceable disposition, which has united the State and positioned it for even greater advancement”.
The Senior Special Assistant to the Akwa Ibom State Governor on Research and Documentation, Dr. Essien Ndueso, described the Governor’s move as “a welcome development that aligns Akwa Ibom State with the government at the center.”
“The Governor has truly lived up to his promise of uniting Akwa Ibom State and reconciling all the diverse interests. This is about the Akwa Ibom Project — a unified front for the common good,” Dr. Ndueso emphasized.
In what is set to be a high-profile ceremony, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, alongside the Senate President, Vice President Kashim Shettima, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and APC National Chairman, Alhaji Abdullahi Ganduje, will officially receive Governor Umo Eno into the APC at the rally.
“Pastor Umo Eno is not one to switch parties in secrecy. He wants the people to witness this historic movement and understand the long-term benefits of aligning with the center,” he said.
Dr. Ndueso expressed unwavering loyalty to the governor, stating that his decision to follow Governor Eno to the APC was based on a deep belief in the governor’s vision and performance under the Arise Agenda.
“I have been with the Governor from the trenches. Leaving his government now would mean I no longer believe in his ability to deliver. But I do now more than ever,” he affirmed.
While acknowledging the legacy of previous PDP administrations in the state including massive road projects and industrial strides, Dr. Ndueso insisted that the synergy with the federal government will multiply the pace and scale of development.
He cited instances where initiatives were stifled in the past due to political polarization, including the controversial cancellation of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo’s planned commissioning of the Coconut Refinery in 2022 during Governor Udom Emmanuel’s administration.
“You can recall that the Vice President had to call off his intended inauguration of the Coconut Oil Factory, after the APC in the State complained that it was a subtle campaign for the PDP ahead of the 2023 elections.
“The VP called off the event and rather went on to have political consultations with his party members, thereby Akwa Ibom missing its opportunity of committing the federal government to support for the project.
“Akwa Ibom contributes significantly to the federal purse as Nigeria’s highest oil-producing state yet, we’ve not benefitted enough due to political differences and this move seeks to end that,” he noted.
“Look at all the investments drive of the immediate past Government of Mr Udom Emmanuel,CON. He built the highest number of roads in the history of the State, the longest stretches of dual carriage ways and the longest bridges such as the Afe Uko Ntighe and Ikot Oku Ikono; and attracted all the industries out of his own ingenuity and with no support from the federal government.
“Now that Pastor Eno is aligning the state with the center it means the development will triple. If we were recording progress in an arithmetic progression, henceforth it will be in a geometric progression because of the anticipated unbiased support from the federal government”
He described the alignment as strategic, as it will open doors for federal agencies like the NDDC to collaborate freely with the state without fear of political backlash.
Dr. Ndueso mentioned that his local government which holds over 40% of Nigeria’s oil and gas reserves is optimistic that this transition will attract long-awaited attention and federal projects.
Sharing a personal reflection, he further explained that the governor’s ideology, like that of King Solomon in the Bible, is rooted in peace choosing reconciliation and unity over conflict.
And like Solomon’s reign of peace that enabled development, Governor Umo Eno, he said, seeks to foster an atmosphere where growth can thrive.
He dismissed criticisms of the defection, noting that opposition is a natural component of democracy.
Citing the Individual Differences Theory, he reasoned that “no two individuals think alike, even twins don’t think alike. So we expect some dissenting voices. But overall, the people are happy.”
He concluded by emphasizing the importance of Saturday’s event, calling it a monumental celebration that will attract people from across Nigeria.
