The Akwa Ibom State Government has denied any involvement in the withdrawal of security details attached to former Governor Udom Emmanuel, following reports that officers stationed at his residences were suddenly reassigned over the weekend.
While the development has sparked political speculation and tension within the state, government officials insist that the decision did not originate from Governor Umo Eno or any state authority.
Findings revealed that police officers assigned to both private residences of the former governor in Akwa Ibom have been withdrawn, fueling public concern and political reactions.
Some observers have linked the incident to alleged political differences between Governor Eno and his predecessor, while others accused the APC-led administration of attempting to pressure Emmanuel into defecting from the Peoples Democratic Party.
However, in a press briefing, the Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Information, Mr. Aniekan Umana, categorically dismissed the allegations as false and unfounded.
He explained that decisions concerning the deployment or withdrawal of police personnel rest solely with federal security authorities.
“The deployment, reassignment, or withdrawal of police officers is the exclusive responsibility of the Inspector-General of Police and the Commissioner of Police in each state, and not the duty of any governor,” Umana said.
“I can tell you on good authority that the Governor did not issue any directive to withdraw security operatives from the immediate past Governor,” he added.
He further noted that all former governors in the state, including Udom Emmanuel, are entitled to police protection as provided by law, and as far as the government is aware, no official complaint has been lodged regarding a withdrawal.
“To the best of our knowledge, there has been no complaint or report from any former Governor or their media aides about the withdrawal of security personnel. The rumour exists only in the imagination of those peddling it,” he said.
The Commissioner urged the public to ignore what he described as baseless propaganda aimed at causing unnecessary tension, reaffirming that Governor Umo Eno remains committed to unity and good governance.
Despite the government’s position, the Special Assistant to the former governor, Barrister Steve Abia, confirmed that no security operatives were present at Emmanuel’s residences, although he could not confirm who gave the directive.
“The reality on ground is that if you go to the ex-governor’s houses right now, there are no police security men, that is the truth,” he stated. “Who withdrew the security personnel is what I cannot make any statement on. So, if you have time we can go there, so you find out,” he told reporters.
Meanwhile, a pro-PDP advocacy group, PDP Advocates for Peace and Justice, alleged political undertones behind the incident. Its chairman, Dr. Tom FredFish, argued that the state government’s denial raises more questions than answers.
“So, if the state is saying that it does not know the whereabouts of the security details in Udom’s place, how does it sound?” he said during a phone interview.
“Also, this means a confirmation to the fact that Umo Eno is having issues with his leader, because never in a time that the federal government can just come and remove details from a former governor.”
He further claimed that the move was aimed at weakening the PDP in the state, accusing unnamed actors of trying to “pocket the party.”
“Udom has come out perhaps to say, no, PDP has to stand as a party. They are working towards everything to see that the party collapses in the state. But it will not work. PDP is not anybody’s federal property in Akwa Ibom State. My advice is that they should stop panicking and focus on governance,” he said.
While the state government maintains that it played no role in the reassignment of the ex-governor’s security personnel, the unfolding scenario has drawn attention to the evolving political dynamics in Akwa Ibom, especially as the 2027 elections approach.
