By Paul Ini
The perilous times are indeed here. The drama that ensued shortly after the painful passing of Mrs. Patience Eno, the wife of the Executive Governor of Akwa-Ibom State could best describe the vile and bile in the hearts of men. While the governor was yet to recover from mourning the wife of his youth, the agents of destabilisation in Akwa-Ibom, and their pliable media machinery went to town to misinform the public on who is taking over the office of the First Lady of the State.
The governor was accused of appointing his daughter as the First Lady of the state following the tragic passing of his wife, Mrs. Patience Eno. These claims, however, are not only unfounded but also reflect a misunderstanding of the circumstances surrounding the issue. It is important to dispel these misconceptions and provide clarity on the role that his daughter, alongside other family members, has played since the beginning of the administration of the governor in 2023.
Despite the unfortunate development, Governor Eno has navigated this period of grief with remarkable strength and dignity, showing his resilience as a leader while still honouring the memory of his late wife. However, the duties of governance do not stop, and as the governor, he has had to continue leading the state through its development goals.
In his measured response to the raging misconception, the governor who appeared not perturbed by the antics of his detractors, explained that her daughter, Mrs Helen Obareki, was only appointed as the Coordinator of the Office of the First Lady.
He said, “Appointing our daughter, who had worked closely with her late mother, as the coordinator is not an appointment as First Lady. You don’t appoint a First Lady. The Office of the First Lady has responsibilities to the women of this state, and my wife had programs she was running—the GIFA, the support for the elderly, and other programs.
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“As long as I remain governor, those programs will not die. There must be a coordinator, and it must be someone I see on a daily basis, someone who can walk into my room and brief me, not a distant person”.
What should be stressed further is that , contrary to the claims that the Governor “appointed” his daughter as the First Lady, it is important to emphasise that no formal or official title of “First Lady” has been conferred upon her. What has occurred is a natural and necessary shift in familial responsibilities, where the governor’s children, including his daughter, have stepped in to support their father in various ways following the loss of their mother.
It is common in many societies, particularly in Africa, where family institutions provide a support system for one another. Therefore in the case of the Enos, it is not out of place for the children or close family members to provide emotional and logistical support to a parent who has lost a spouse, especially in cases where the parent holds a demanding public office. This support can take the form of continuing charitable work initiated by the deceased spouse. In the case of Pastor Umo Eno, his daughter has only taken on a supportive role to help her father, by sustaining the lofty legacies of his late mother, thereby maintaining a sense of continuity in fulfilling the commitments of the governor to the people, particularly as it concerns women and other marginalised members of the society.
The role of the First Lady in Nigeria is not a constitutionally defined office but rather a traditional one, where the spouse of the sitting governor (or president) assumes the position of a public figure dedicated to social causes. The position often involves spearheading humanitarian and developmental projects, with a focus on women, children, and vulnerable groups.
Rather than getting distracted with non-issues, it is important to once again bring into public consciousness the pedigree of Governor Umo Eno, and the remarkable achievements he has recorded in little over a year he assumed office as the Executive Governor of Akwa-Ibom State.
He has continuously maintained his posture as a man of integrity, compassion and a strong commitment to the development of the people.
As a pastor and also a seasoned public servant, his values are rooted in faith, service to others, and humility. His leadership has always been about creating opportunities for the people of Akwa Ibom and addressing their needs, particularly in the areas of education, healthcare, and economic development.
Since assuming office, Governor Eno has continued the work of transforming Akwa Ibom State into a beacon of progress and prosperity. His focus on infrastructure, industrialization, and social welfare has been evident in the policies and programs he has implemented. His vision for the state transcends personal or familial ambitions, and any claims that he is using his position to promote his daughter are inconsistent with his established track record of selfless service.
Under his watch, Akwa Ibom is experiencing significant growth in all the sectors. The Governor is deeply committed to fostering unity, peace, and development across Akwa Ibom. His administration has prioritized policies that empower the youth, provide better healthcare, and improve infrastructure, all aimed at enhancing the quality of life for the people.
He has further expanded the frontiers of development he inherited from his predecessor. In education, health, environment, human capital development and food security, the governor is leading the charge, and galvanising the people to follow the path of socio-economic development in the state,
The people of Akwa Ibom should not be distracted by the detractors of the governor. Rather, they should stand behind their governor, recognizing the sacrifices he has made and continues to make for the greater good of the state. Distracting from these accomplishments with baseless accusations does not serve the interests of the people. Instead, it is vital to appreciate the work Governor Eno is doing, while also allowing him the grace to navigate his personal challenges.