The Supreme Court has affirmed the election of Umo Eno of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as the validly elected governor of Akwa Ibom State.
The apex court dismissed appeals filed by the All Progressives Congress (APC), the Young Progressives Party (YPP), and the New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP), each contesting Eno’s eligibility or the conduct of the election.
Details shortly…
A lawyer, Nkereuwem Abraham, has faulted the appointment of local government caretaker chairmen in Akwa Ibom State by Governor Bassey Eno, saying it is unconstitutional.
He said appointing council administrators without giving the people opportunity to choose who to lead or represent them at the council level is also undemocratic.
Abraham cited the Supreme Court case of Hon. Chigozie Eze & Ors vs Governor of Abia State & Ors (2014) Lpelr 36538 Sc, in which former Justice Bode Rhodes-Vivour held that the governor and any of its agents lacked the legal competence to dissolve elected councils and appoint caretaker or transition committees.
The lawyer said in a statement: “Any act done by any of the local government caretaker committee chairmen appointed by Governor Eno is not only invalid but also illegal and unconstitutional.
“We give the governor not more than six months to conduct an election and hand over to elected chairmen in Akwa Ibom or face legal action.”
Abraham, a former Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) prosecution, argued that the appointment of caretaker chairmen also flouts Section 7 (1) of the 1999 Constitution, which provides that a state must “ensure their existence under a law which provides for establishment, structure, composition, finance and function of such councils”.
He noted: “If a democratic government as Akwa Ibom’s is afraid of conducting an election to local government councils, is it the military government or authoritarian government that will?
“Unelected local government chairmen assume a position of not being answerable to the people but pay allegiance to the governor who appointed them because, after all, no one voted for them.
“This is where Eno lost the battle. Instead of thinking about how to develop the state, he is thinking of compensating loyalists by making them caretaker chairmen.
“The caretaker committee chairmen were sworn in by the governor who urged them to be committed to rural development, meaning the caretakers are coming to stay.
“Just as the President cannot appoint a sole administrator or sole governor to take charge of any state, by that same measure no governor possesses the powers to appoint sole administrators to administer councils.”
Akwa Ibom State former governor, Udom Emmanuel, says he will support his successor, Governor Umo Eno, to surpass his achievements.
He said one of the secrets of his successful reign as governor was the support he got from Christian fathers in the state and he expressed happiness that they were extending the same to his successor.
At a New Year state service to usher in 2024 in Akwa Ibom State, Mr Emmanuel said: “I don’t have any doubt or fear, I still stand on what I said from day one that you’ll do 200 times better than me in all ramifications and God will give you the enablement and capacity to make that happen.”
Allaying fears on the capacity of his successor, Emmanuel said: “When God sends you, he gives transportation money. He equips, he gives you the capacity, and he gives you everything to keep it up and running.”
Thanking Akwa Ibom people for their support to Governor Eno, he said the unity of the state must be upheld. Governor Eno expressed delight about the array of attendees at the venue of the event, which he described as, not just a worship centre, but also a tourist attraction. He expressed gratitude for having the immediate past governor and initiator of the worship centre project at the event.
The governor said he would ensure the maintenance of the facility as a valuable asset of the state and to maintain the spiritual component of the worship centre as an altar of the state, by daily prayers at the centre throughout the year.
He announced the appointment of the Uyo Field Superintendent of the Apostolic Church, Pastor Ime George, as coordinator of the prayer roaster, Rev. Hilkiah Eliatha as secretary, as well as a technical crew to maintain the facility
Akwa Ibom State Governor Umo Eno has opened up on his relationship with his predecessor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel, saying he has never put him under pressure since leaving office in May.
“On the contrary, we are the ones chasing him to ask him to always come around to advise us,” Eno added.
He spoke at the Christmas worship service at United Evangelical Church (QIC), Awa Iman, Onna Local Government, home church of ex-governor Emmanuel.
“I tell people that even when you are not in government, you are still working for this state.
“In eight years, you (Udom Emmanuel) taught us leadership, and you developed all of us. We have learnt from you, especially the lesson of tolerance.
“You may no longer be governor today, but you will always be my governor and leader. You have a clear understanding of how these things work and I will always be your student,” Eno said.
He said Akwa Ibom State International Christian Worship Centre, established during Emmanuel’s tenure, is ready and will be used for the New Year’s State Interdenominational Service on January 2, 2024.
He said the centre would be active everyday, as each day, a pastor and his team would take turn to pray for the state and Nigeria at the state’s sacred altar.
Eno thanked Emmanuel for the vision of setting up the centre and promised to work towards completing other projects that were not completed during his tenure.
Emmanuel, accompanied to the church by his wife, Martha, and other family members, hailed Governor Eno for leading the state executive council members and other political bigwigs to the church service.
He said it had been his tradition to always spend Christmas with his people since his days as a general manager of a bank.
Governor Umo Eno delivered a message centred on unity, progress, and collective service in his Christmas address to the people of Akwa Ibom State.
Speaking from the Government House in Uyo, the Governor, accompanied by his wife, Her Excellency Pastor Patience Umo Eno, extended warm greetings on this momentous day in the Christian calendar.
The Governor began by commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ, emphasizing the season’s significance – a time for joy, goodwill, and reaching out to those facing challenges in life.
Expressing gratitude for the overwhelming support received since his election on March 18th, 2023, Governor Umo Eno highlighted the substantial progress made in the past seven months in line with their ARISE Agenda.
He refrained from detailing specific achievements, promising a comprehensive overview in the upcoming New Year Day Broadcast.
A noteworthy mention was the government’s initiative to boost morale among workers by disbursing an additional month’s salary, endearingly dubbed “Eno-Mber” by the populace.
Governor Eno affirmed a continued commitment to prioritize workers’ welfare and foster an environment conducive to Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs) growth—a cornerstone for economic development.
We will continue to pay special attention to our workers and also ensure that we create the enabling environment for Small and Medium Scale Enterprises, (SMEs) which is the engine of growth, in any economy to thrive.
He said: ”We will continue to tackle those critically important kitchen-table issues, which affect families.
‘We will continue to pay down gratuities to our retired workers, and ensure that our children go to school, especially at the primary level in an atmosphere that fosters creativity, academic excellence and social interactions, as exemplifies by the features and facilities at the newly rebuilt Model Primary School at Christ the King School, on Wellington Bassey Way, Uyo, which would be replicated in all local government areas.
”We are doing the same, in the healthcare sector, with the soon-to-be commissioned model healthcare centre, located in Ikot Nkowk, Ibesikpo Asutan Local Government Area.’
Eno urged unity, calling for a collective rejection of divisive politics and emphasizing the need to embrace governance for progress.
He emphasized the unity among the diverse communities in Akwa Ibom State, advocating for preserving a harmonious, discord-free environment.
Concluding his address, the Governor encouraged extending a helping hand beyond mere handouts to uplift those facing difficulties, envisioning a collective effort to usher in a prosperous future for the state.
In his closing remarks, Governor Umo Eno wished everyone a Merry Christmas and looked forward to a prosperous New Year, invoking blessings on Akwa Ibom State and the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Under the bright night sky filled with the soothing harmattan-season breeze, and surrounded by 20 thousand sea of happy people, the 16th Edition of Akwa Ibom Christmas Carols came alive last night and lasted, into the early hours of today.
A statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Ekerete Udoh noted that the event took place at the new 20-thousand-seater Amphitheatre, which was constructed within two months, located at the lush green Unity Park, Uyo, this year’s Carols was a celebration of home-based and home grown talents, alongside national and international gospel singers of Akwa Ibom extraction.
The Unity Park, also, serves as the venue for the ongoing Christmas Park, that has, in the last 15 days showcased the rich culinary and cultural heritage of the Akwa Ibom people, and has, put the state on the world map as the emerging tourism hub of the nation.
With the theme, “Arise, Shine; for thy, light is come” drawn from Isaiah 60: 1-3,(KJV) the event, brought together choirs from all segments of the Christian community in the State, and raised the roof with great renditions to celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ and season of great joy and good tidings to mankind.
From popular gospel star, Mercy Chinwo, who got everyone on their feet with beautiful renditions of her favorite Gospel songs, to Bobby Friga, to Aity Denis, to Moses Bliss and a host of other talented performers, the atmosphere was one of a grand God’s party and the mood was spiritually uplifting. It was a moment of unity, where the divisive impulses of politics gave way to an infectious feeling of camaraderie and bipartisanship, working and reveling across political lines. The Akwa Ibom spirit of love, unity, and brotherhood took centre stage and it was a great feeling to behold!
The State Governor, His Excellency, Pastor Umo Eno in a spiritually expansive mood, and obviously satisfied with the huge success of the event, was effusive in his praise for the Organizing Committee, headed by the Honourable Commissioner of Culture and Tourism, Sir Charles Udoh. “ it was a little under two months ago, at our EXCO Retreat in Lagos, that I gave the marching order to the Hononurable Commissioner for Culture and Tourism to ensure that we construct a permanent site for the 16th Edition of the Alwa Ibom Christmas Carols. 2023, at this location.
“It was indeed a tall order, given the fact that this place that has today been transformed into what is easily the best and most smart 20-Seater amphitheatre in the country was a virgin land. My belief was simple: When people are determined to ARISE and shine, nothing, and I mean nothing can stop their resolve and passion.
“Today, because Akwa Ibom people have Arisen, we are seated here in this magnificent 20-Seater Amphitheatre, singing praises to God, to herald the birth of God’s only begotten Son and the Saviour of mankind, our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. So I want to commend the Honourable Commissioner, and his team, especially Engr,. Uwem Okoko of Hensek Integrated Services for rising to the occasion and delivering big for our people, in line with our vision.”
The Governor harped on the theme of unity, and thanked past leaders for conceptualizing, sustaining and even elevating the event to higher realms, which he is determined to deepen, maintaining that what unites Akwa Ibom people is “greater that what separates us,” and urged the people to use this season of joy to extend their hands of friendship to others who “may have fallen on hard times.”
He used the opportunity to talk about his passion to serve the people and thanked the immediate past Governor, H.E. Udom Emmanuel, CON, for seeing in him, what others may not have seen.
When he announced that the 13th- month salary he had promised, had been paid to workers in the State, the audience broke into thunderous applause, and continued , applauding when he tailed about the nearly 7 billion Naira he has, also, in under seven months paid to retirees, in fulfillment of his campaign promise to continue the payment of gratuities.
Governor Eno, informed the audience that a world-class theme park will be constructed at the same location to provide an avenue for relaxation for families, in line with what obtains in the developed world. “Our vision for tourism is deep and as you all know, tourism is a cash cow, and we intend to develop and further the growth of that sector for the benefit of our people.”
Bishop Emma Isong, gave a rousing sermon and the event came to a close at a little over 12 midnight.
In attendance were the Wife of the Governor, Pastor Patience Umo Eno, the Deputy Governor, Distinguished Senator Akon Eyakenyi and her spouse, Wife of the Immediate Past Governor, Dr. (Mrs.) Martha Udom Emmanuel, who also represented the immediate past Governor, H.E. Mr. Udom Emmanuel, CON, Speaker of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Udeme Otong, the two Senators representing Eket and Uyo Senatorial districts respectively, Distinguished Senators Ekong Sampson and Aniekan Bassey.
Others include the Minister of State, Petroleum Resources (Gas) the Rt. Honourable Ekperikpe Ekpo, who represented the Senate President, H.E., Distinguished Senator Godswill Akpabio, CON, past Military Governors, Members of the House of Representatives, political stakeholders across party lines, clergymen, captains of industry, pop culture figures among others were in attendance.
It was indeed a celebration of ingenuity, love, conviviality, love and kindred spirit in line with the spirit of the season.
Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly has passed a resolution authorising Governor Umo Eno to establish caretaker committees in the 31 local governments.
The motion for the resolution was moved yesterday during plenary by Deputy Leader Bob Otobong, and seconded by Chief Whip Effiong Johnson. The tenure of the current council chairmen expired yesterday.
Former governor Udom Emmanuel swore the chairmen into office on December 7, 2020.
Eno, in his message read at plenary, said due to the lack of budgetary provision for local government elections in the 2023 budget, caretaker committees are necessary to prevent leadership vacuum.
He said Akwa Ibom State Independent Electoral Commission (AKISIEC) was working towards organising elections at the local government level.
Governor Umo Eno has directed the immediate release of an additional 1.5bn naira for payment of outstanding gratuities of retired workers in the State.
The Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Ekerete Udoh who disclosed the news, said it was a further confirmation of the Governor’s resolve to fulfill his pact with workers in the State.
During his campaign, Eno had promised to continue paying backlog of gratuity from where his immediate predecessor in office had stopped.
Before the current release, 5.3 billion naira had been released by the Governor for retired workers in the State, an attestation to the Governor’s humane disposition to the people of the State.
Few weeks ago, an additional one-month salary otherwise called 13th month salary, or “Enomber” was approved for civil servants in the State, to bring Christmas cheers.
Governor Umo Eno, has, in under six months in office, touched on the critical pillars of the ARISE Agenda, especially in rural development, education, healthcare, security and infrastructural maintenance.
Akwa Ibom governorship candidate of Action Alliance (AA), Jeremiah Udoh Akpan, has approached the Supreme Court to set aside the judgement of the Appeal Court.
Akpan is seeking the nullification of of the overnorship election of March 18, 2023, among others.
According to the Notice of Appeal to the apex Court, the AA candidate described the judgement of the Appeal Court as a miscarriage of justice.
He explained that he is approaching the Supreme Court to objectively review the Appeal Court judgement because the learned justices of the Appelate court erred in law and decision.
Prior to the election, Akpan said that INEC had disobeyed an Appeal Court judgement and court order to recognize him as the right governorship candidate of Action Alliance in the State.
INEC did not upload Akpan’s name as the candidate of the AA n the March 18, 2023 gubernatorial elections in Akwa Ibom State.
INEC had argued at the Election Tribunal and the Appeal Court that unlawful exclusion is not a ground for cancellation of election.
The AA candidate through his lawyer Peter I. Oyewole Esq has filled a Notice of Appeal so that the matter can be decided at the Supreme Court.
Akwa Ibom State Governor Umo Eno has approved the establishment of 10 dialysis centres in each of the federal constituencies in the state
The governor has directed the recruitment and training of professionals to meet the manpower needs of the centres, which are to be fully operational by next June.
He spoke yesterday at the Immanuel General Hospital, Eket, where he inaugurated Enoch and Folu Adeboye Dialysis Centre.
The centre was donated by the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG).
Eno ordered the deployment of personnel from the state hospitals in the dialysis centre to ensure the facility is not underutilised due to lack of personnel.
“I have directed the Head of Civil Service to work with the Ministry of Health and the Civil Service Commission to absorb them as quickly as possible so that we can have permanent workers here. We don’t want to have equipment here, yet we don’t have the manpower to operate them,” he said.
The governor made a case for aggressive sensitisation on kidney related ailments and measures to checkmate their occurrence.
He directed that the Ministry of Health should collaborate with the Ministry of Information and Office of the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor to undertake the sensitisation.
Eno extolled the gesture of RCCG General Overseer, Pastor Enoch Adeboye and wife, Folu, in partnering government through the church’s humanitarian arm, ‘His Love Foundation’, to provide medical services for the people, especially those plagued by kidney diseases.
RCCG Intercontinental Overseer, Christian Social Responsibility, Pastor Idowu Iluyomade, speaking on behalf of the church, said RCCG, driven by passion for humanity and the need to bring help to people afflicted by kidney diseases, had through “His Love Foundation”, set up 12 dialysis centres across Nigeria and was pleased to set the 13th in Eket, Akwa Ibom State, among other interventions.
Health Commissioner Prof. Augustine Umoh, expatiating on the imperative of the intervention, said dialysis was one of the best ways of managing kidney failure and lauded the state government-RCCG partnership.
He affirmed the delivery of three dialysis machines, with accessories, by the church to the centre.