Former Akwa Ibom State governor, Udom Emmanuel, reveals that he includes daily prayers for his successor, Governor Umo Eno, wishing him success in office, and expresses his readiness to offer any support necessary for the fulfillment of the governor’s mandate.
Speaking during the Christmas worship service at his home church, United Evangelical Church, Awa Iman, Onna Local Government Area, Emmanuel pledges ongoing collaboration and assures that he will refrain from disrupting Governor Eno’s activities.
He said, ‘Don’t mind what people may say. We are relating very well. Sometimes, if there is a state function and I attend, they will say, ‘He is coming too often’; if I don’t attend, they will say, ‘They are quarrelling, that is why he has refused to come;’ but they forget that Udom Emmanuel and the governor are inseparable.’
‘Any support I can give him (Eno) to enable him to succeed, I will always give him. I pray every day for him to succeed.’
‘Let’s continually pray for him, and let’s also be patient. The king needs a little bit of patience from the people.’
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‘God took time to do things on different days; the governor can’t do everything overnight; it will reach you, just have a little bit of patience. The governor is for all of us and he will surely reach all of us.’
‘Don’t worry about the governor’s relationship with Udom, because we are always here to support and collaborate and not to disrupt his activities.’
Accompanied by his wife, Dr. Martha, and other family members, the former governor commends Governor Eno for guiding the state executive council members and other political heavyweights to the church service.
Reflecting on the longstanding tradition, which began during his tenure as a bank general manager, he underscores the importance of returning home for Christmas to connect with his people.
In his statement, Eno expressed that Emmanuel never applied pressure but instead allowed him the space to effectively govern the state.
‘On the contrary, we are the ones chasing him to ask him to always come around to advise us.’
‘I tell people that even when you (Emmanuel) are not in government, you are still working for this state.’
‘In eight years, you 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,’ he said.
Eno conveyed that the Akwa Ibom State International Christian Worship Centre, constructed under Emmanuel’s administration, is completed and will be inaugurated for the New Year’s State Interdenominational Service on January 2, 2024.
In gratitude to his predecessor for envisioning the construction of the center, Eno announced that the facility would be in use every day, with a pastor and a dedicated team taking turns to pray for the well-being of the state and the country.