By Opeyemi Adelakun
The Akwa Ibom State Government has denied allegations that Governor Umo Eno reported former governor Udom Emmanuel to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission over the seizure of a Lagos property allegedly linked to the former governor.
The denial followed a social media video by the African Democratic Congress governorship candidate, John Akpanudoedehe, in which he alleged that Eno was responsible for bringing the matter involving Emmanuel to the attention of the anti-graft agency.
But the state Commissioner for Information, Aniekan Umanah, described the allegation as false and without foundation.
In a statement issued on Sunday in Uyo, Umanah said the claim appeared designed to provoke tension and create division among residents of the state.
He said Eno had never reported anyone to the EFCC, including his predecessor.
“Governor Umo Eno has never reported anyone to the EFCC. I make bold to say that I have never reported anyone, let alone my predecessor in office, to the EFCC. I stand to be challenged or contradicted,” Umanah said.
The commissioner also pointed to what he described as the governor’s continued respect for former administrations, noting that Eno had retained several officials who served under the previous government.
He further said the governor had continued and completed projects initiated by his predecessors while supporting efforts aimed at maintaining political stability in the state.
“If Governor Eno were driven by any form of fury, why has he retained most of the persons who served under the former administration? Why has he continued and completed projects initiated by former Governors?” Umanah asked.
The state government urged Akpanudoedehe and other political actors to avoid allegations it said could deepen political divisions in Akwa Ibom.
It said the state had moved beyond what it described as politics of blackmail and manufactured controversies, insisting that political discourse should focus on development and responsible leadership.
The government also said it remained committed to maintaining peace while pursuing projects under the administration’s ARISE Agenda, including roads, schools, healthcare, agriculture, tourism and aviation.
The dispute follows the EFCC’s reported seizure of the Lagos property allegedly belonging to the former governor, an action that has now become the subject of competing political claims in the state.
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