Akwa Ibom: Eno, Udom Rift Deepen as Police Command Withdraws Operatives from Former Gov's Residence
Silent war is brewing in Akwa Ibom state between incumbent Governor Governor Umo Eno and the political godfather, Udom Emmanuel.
The 'war' has led to the withdrawal of security operatives from the residence of former Governor Udom Emmanuel's residence.
The rift started shortly after Governor Eno defected from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in June, ending the PDP’s 25-year dominance in the state.
An official order, dated September 30 and signed by Assistant Superintendent of Police Ekwo Godwin, instructed police officers attached to Emmanuel’s residences to withdraw on October 1 and report to the police headquarters in Uyo for debriefing.
The directive also applied to operatives assigned to other former state officials who chose not to follow Eno to the APC.
Visits to Emmanuel’s homes, including his country residence in Awa Iman, Onna Local Government Area, and his residence at Ewet Housing Estate, Uyo, confirmed that no police operatives was present.
While the police commissioner, Baba Azare, denied the withdrawal, and the state’s Commissioner for Information, Aniekan Umanah, claimed to be unaware of the development, the absence of security personnel around the former governor’s residences was notable.
The political disagreement between Emmanuel and Eno, initially managed quietly, has become public and could have significant implications for the state’s political landscape.
Since the defection, the once-close relationship between the two, with Emmanuel seen as Eno’s political mentor, has deteriorated.
Emmanuel is now working to strengthen his position within the PDP, while Eno aims to retain control of the party structure to prevent political adversaries from leveraging it against him.
He said, “As a matter of fact, contrary to some insinuations, I want to run both parties (APC and PDP)? Far from it. And what is wrong with being interested? We would not leave the PDP for thieves to hijack and use it against us."
The feud has increased political tension in the oil-rich state, with both leaders maneuvering to protect their influence.
While Emmanuel positions himself as an opposition leader seeking to regain control of the PDP, Eno has maintained that his interest in the party structure is to safeguard it from misuse.
Source: Premium Times
