Human rights lawyer and public affairs commentator, Inibehe Effiong, has issued a strongly worded statement condemning Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State over his recent endorsement of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a second term in office.
In a statement released on Tuesday, Effiong described the governor’s endorsement as “irresponsible,” “embarrassing,” and “witchcraft,” citing the deteriorating economic conditions and widespread hardship under the Tinubu administration.
A viral video had surfaced earlier showing Governor Eno pledging his support for President Tinubu’s re-election bid. Effiong, reacting to the video, stated that the move did not come as a surprise to those who have closely followed the political trajectory in Akwa Ibom State, which he described as evolving into a “criminal enterprise.”
“The utter lack of accountability, morality, and basic decency by Akwa Ibom politicians speaks volumes of the decadent state of affairs in the oil-rich state,” Effiong stated.
He questioned the rationale behind a governor from an opposition party endorsing a sitting president whose administration has, according to him, inflicted “devastating economic policies and nepotism” on the Nigerian people. Effiong also drew attention to Governor Eno’s perceived alignment with Senate President Godswill Akpabio, alleging an “unholy alliance” between the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state.
“This is not about governance. It’s about power and the control of resources. It has nothing to do with improving the lives of the people,” he stated.
Effiong criticized the governor’s public image as a man of God, accusing him of hypocrisy and using token acts of philanthropy to mask incompetence. He also hinted at the possibility of Eno officially defecting to the APC, accusing the PDP of losing its credibility as an opposition party.
“The PDP has been unable to function as a credible opposition party because the party became used to stealing and rigging elections,” he said.
He further linked Governor Eno’s actions to alleged efforts to avoid scrutiny from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over funds reportedly looted during the administration of former Governor Udom Emmanuel.
Concluding his statement, Effiong urged the people of Akwa Ibom and Nigerians in general to disregard what he termed a “self-serving endorsement,” insisting that Governor Eno spoke only for himself and not for the people.
“I reject his witchcraft endorsement,” he added.
