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Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State has dismissed renewed claims of a political rift between him and his predecessor, Udom Emmanuel, insisting that political differences will not erase the respect and relationship he has with the former governor.
Eno said he would continue to respect Emmanuel, whom he has repeatedly described as his political father, as well as other former leaders of Akwa Ibom State. He made the clarification amid speculation and comments suggesting that relations between the two politicians had deteriorated, particularly against the backdrop of political realignments ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The governor spoke while commissioning a 14.8-kilometre network of internal roads and spurs, alongside 1.9 kilometres of discharge drains, in Awa, Onna Local Government Area. The location was significant because Onna is the home area of Udom Emmanuel, and Eno said he deliberately chose to commission the project as a mark of honour and respect for his predecessor.
According to Eno, some people were attempting to create division between him and Emmanuel by spreading what he described as false and unsubstantiated claims. He maintained that whatever political differences may exist should not be interpreted as a personal disagreement between the two men.
The governor’s comments are particularly noteworthy because of the political history between both men. Before becoming governor, Eno served in Emmanuel’s administration and was subsequently backed as his successor in the 2023 governorship election. Eno has on several occasions acknowledged Emmanuel’s role in his political journey and continued to refer to him as his political father.
The latest clarification also followed controversy over remarks Eno made during the commissioning of the road project in Onna. A request had been made by the Paramount Ruler of the area concerning some industries that had become inactive, including a syringe factory and flour mill. Eno explained that his response was directed at the owners of those businesses and was not a reference to Emmanuel.
The governor said the state government could not simply intervene in private businesses where it had no ownership interest without an invitation from the owners. He therefore urged people not to attach political meanings to comments that, according to him, were directed at the owners of the affected businesses.
Eno went further during a subsequent memorial service for his late wife, Patience Eno, where he reiterated that he had no problem with his predecessor. He said his upbringing and personal orientation had taught him to respect those who came before him and that this principle would continue to guide his relationship with past leaders.
His latest comments are also coming at a time when political alignments in Akwa Ibom have been changing. Eno moved from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2025, a development that generated considerable political discussion because Emmanuel has remained associated with the PDP. Eno has previously insisted that his movement to the APC did not automatically mean that his relationship with his predecessor had broken down.
The political differences between the two camps have nevertheless attracted attention. In 2025, reports emerged of tensions following Eno’s defection, including controversy surrounding security arrangements at Emmanuel’s residences. At the time, the Akwa Ibom Government disputed aspects of reports concerning the withdrawal of security personnel, while other reporting linked the development to growing political tensions.
Against that background, Eno’s repeated public assurances suggest that he wants to draw a clear line between political competition and personal relationships. His position is that disagreements over political direction should not translate into disrespect for people who previously occupied public office or contributed to the development of the state.
The governor has also spoken positively about the contributions of previous administrations. In earlier remarks, he praised Emmanuel for his vision and support and acknowledged the contributions of other former governors to Akwa Ibom’s development.
The latest episode therefore goes beyond a simple denial of a political disagreement. It reflects the delicate balance that often exists between political succession, party realignment and longstanding relationships in Nigerian politics. As the 2027 elections draw closer, the political landscape in Akwa Ibom is likely to attract increasing attention, particularly because of the different affiliations and loyalties of prominent figures in the state.
For now, Governor Eno’s message is that whatever political differences may exist, they should not be mistaken for personal hostility. He has maintained that Emmanuel remains deserving of respect and that the contributions of former leaders should not be erased because of present-day political disagreements.In his words, he would “never have a problem” with his predecessor and would continue to respect Emmanuel and other past leaders of Akwa Ibom.
