Governor Eno’s Claims of Federal Benefits for Akwa Ibom State Under Scrutiny
Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State recently made a series of claims about the benefits his state has received from the federal government, attributing them to his defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC). However, these claims have been challenged by both public documents and federal officials, raising questions about the validity of his assertions.
During an emergency meeting with all 783 of his aides on 19 November, Governor Eno emphasized the need for political loyalty. This came after two of his aides attended the Ibadan PDP national convention, prompting the governor to sack them. The incident sparked political tension in the state, as the opposition questioned Eno’s commitment to a cross-party administration.
Anietie Usen, a prominent journalist and media aide to Mr. Eno, shared excerpts from the meeting on Facebook. According to Usen, Eno highlighted several achievements of his administration, including paying “N709 million” monthly as salaries to his 783 aides. He also claimed that Akwa Ibom has benefited from his defection to the APC, citing the new federal housing project, Renewed Hope Estate, and the approval for a law faculty at Akwa Ibom State University as key benefits.
A National Housing Policy or Political Reward?
The Renewed Hope Estate, which Eno credits to his political move, is located along Airport Road in Ekpene Ukim, Uruan Local Government Area, near Uyo. The project was officially launched by the governor on 6 November, with the Managing Director and CEO of the Federal Housing Authority (FHA), Oyetunde Ojo, in attendance.
According to a report on the FHA website, Ojo expressed gratitude to the governor for his enthusiasm and cooperation in realizing the project. The report further stated that the governor was “very receptive” to bringing the FHA into Akwa Ibom and provided land free of charge. This contradicts Eno’s claim that his defection led to the project, suggesting instead that the governor had already played a significant role in its inception.
On 2 July 2024, Housing Minister Ahmed Dangiwa announced that President Bola Tinubu’s administration aims to address Nigeria’s housing deficit by delivering 50,000 housing units across the country. He noted that states must provide land at no cost to be included in the program. Notably, Ogun State, led by a PDP governor, Ademola Adeleke, was among those covered under this initiative. Adeleke has since resigned from the PDP, further complicating Eno’s narrative.
Law Faculty Approval: A Technical Process, Not a Political Favor
The claim that Akwa Ibom State University received federal approval for a law faculty due to Eno’s defection has also been refuted. The National Universities Commission (NUC), a federal agency responsible for approving academic programs, confirmed the university’s eligibility for the LL.B Law degree program. The NUC’s accreditation process is based on technical standards, not political connections.
According to the NUC, the approval followed a thorough resource verification visit that confirmed the university’s readiness in terms of human and material resources. Franca Chukwuonwo, the NUC spokesperson, clarified that accreditation is granted based on fulfilling requirements, not political affiliations.
Mfon Ben, a lawyer and former chairman of Uyo Local Government Council, criticized Eno for claiming credit for the law program’s approval. He argued that such claims undermine the efforts of the university leadership and academic planning. “We have not come that low,” Ben said, emphasizing that the state should focus on more substantive achievements.
The Ibom Deep Seaport: A Long-Stalled Vision
Eno’s political shift to the APC was partly framed around securing the long-awaited Ibom Deep Seaport project. Conceived by then-Governor Victor Attah over two decades ago, the seaport has remained stalled at the paperwork stage. Despite repeated promises from successive administrations, including Senate President Godswill Akpabio’s tenure between 2007 and 2015, the project has yet to materialize.
In June, Eno used the seaport as a campaign tool, asserting that his defection to the APC would ensure its realization. He even suggested that a partial development, such as one terminal, would justify his political move. During his official reception into the APC, Eno told supporters that the people of Akwa Ibom were looking to the federal government as “the bride looks at the face of his bridegroom.”
However, the project remains mired in bureaucratic delays, with no clear timeline for implementation. While Eno continues to push for federal support, the opposition and critics remain skeptical about the tangible benefits his political shift has delivered to the state.
Conclusion
Governor Eno’s claims of federal benefits for Akwa Ibom State have been met with skepticism, with evidence suggesting that many of the projects he attributes to his political move were either already underway or based on standard procedures. As the state continues to grapple with development challenges, the focus should shift toward addressing real issues rather than attributing successes to political maneuvering.
