President Bola Tinubu and Senate President Godswill Akpabio have lauded the leadership of Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, pledging their support for his re-election bid in 2027.
President Tinubu described Governor Eno as a “man of remarkable, visionary and impactful leadership,” citing his administration’s focus on infrastructure development and good governance as key achievements.
The president’s remarks came during a reception held after the funeral of the late Deaconess Eno Nnana Usoro, mother of the Central Bank of Nigeria Deputy Governor (Operations), Emem Usoro, at the Four Points by Sheraton Hotel in Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area over the weekend.
Represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, Tinubu commended Governor Eno for his humility, exemplary leadership, and commitment to unity, noting that these attributes have brought about steady progress in the state.
While consoling Ms. Usoro, the president paid tribute to the late matriarch, describing her as a woman who embodied “grace, faith, generosity, and service to humanity.”
He said her legacy lives on through her daughter, Emem Usoro, whom he praised for upholding her mother’s values of service to the nation.
At a separate event held at the palace of the Oku Ibom Ibibio and Paramount Ruler of Nsit Ubium Local Government Area, Ntennyin Solomon Etuk, Senate President Akpabio reaffirmed his support for Governor Eno’s second-term ambition.
“We are solidly behind Governor Umo Eno. I will support him 100 percent to succeed as a second-term governor,” Akpabio said. He also commended the traditional ruler for fostering peace and unity in the state.
“Let me thank you for being a peace-loving father. You are a man of peace. The most costly peace is better than the cheapest war. I made an appeal to him without seeing him physically and he listened to me, and today, there is peace in Akwa Ibom State. Kindly extend my greetings to your son, my governor and our leader, Pastor Umo Eno, another man of peace, who not only says it but does it,” he added.
Akpabio described his visit to the monarch as a “major reconciliation move” aimed at strengthening peace, love, and unity across the state. He credited Governor Eno’s decision to align with the All Progressives Congress (APC) as a key step in linking Akwa Ibom to the federal government.
“My visit to this palace today is a major reconciliation move and will rekindle peace, love and unity in Akwa Ibom State. Akwa Ibom State under Governor Umo Eno is united because of his decision to link us to the centre by joining the All Progressives Congress (APC). Let me assure you that I will support him 100 percent to succeed as a second-term governor. Don’t listen to nay-sayers and blackmailers. We are solidly behind him and that was why immediately he joined the APC, I personally handed over the structure of the party in the state to him, because when I was the governor I controlled the structure. I will continue to work for the peace, unity and development of Akwa Ibom State,” he declared.
Responding, Governor Eno praised Ms. Usoro for attracting eminent Nigerians, including Vice President Shettima, to Akwa Ibom for her mother’s funeral. He extended condolences to the Usoro family, urging them to find comfort in the impactful life their late mother lived in service to humanity and to the glory of God.
Governor Eno also reaffirmed his commitment to maintaining strong ties with President Tinubu and Senate President Akpabio, promising continued collaboration with the federal government to ensure that Akwa Ibom benefits from the dividends of democracy.
