The Akwa Ibom State Government has denied reports that police operatives attached to former Governor Udom Emmanuel’s residences in Uyo and Onna were withdrawn on orders from his successor, Governor Umo Eno, saying such claims are unfounded “rumour.”
According to the state’s Information Commissioner, Aniekan Umanah, no directive has been issued to pull security from Emmanuel, and no complaints have been lodged by the former governor or his media team regarding any withdrawal. But a spokesperson for Emmanuel, Steve Abia, has confirmed that operatives are no longer present at Emmanuel’s homes.
On October 4, Premium Times published an order, purportedly dated September 30 and signed by Assistant Superintendent Ekwo Godwin, directing attached security personnel at Emmanuel’s Uyo and Awa Iman residences to withdraw on October 1 and report to the Uyo police headquarters for debriefing. When reporters visited both residences on October 5 and October 6, they found no police presence.
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Sources within the Government House in Uyo said the governor personally approved the withdrawal of the police officers assigned to former Governor Emmanuel, confirming earlier reports of a rift between the two leaders. In the absence of official security, some community youths from Onna, Emmanuel’s hometown, have reportedly taken it upon themselves to provide ad hoc protection at his residence, citing concerns for his safety and respect for his past service to the state.
In response, Umanah maintained that the governor has no authority to order or approve the withdrawal of police personnel, explaining that such decisions fall exclusively under the jurisdiction of the Inspector-General of Police and the state’s Commissioner of Police. He further clarified that all former governors in Akwa Ibom, including Emmanuel, are entitled to security protection as provided by law, and there has been no directive to revoke that privilege.
The unfolding drama comes amid deepening tensions between Emmanuel and Eno. Once referred to as Eno’s “political godfather,” Emmanuel’s relationship with his successor soured after Eno defected from the PDP to the APC in June. That move ended the PDP’s 25-year dominance in the state. Both sides have sought to manage the fallout carefully, even as Emmanuel quietly rebuilds influence within the PDP and Eno has vowed to maintain control of party structures.