Guber 2023: Capacity and character are the bases for Udom’s choice of Pastor Umo Eno – Malachy Ukpeh
As Akwa Ibomites continue on the search to unravel the motive behind Governor Udom Emmanuel’s preference of Pst. Umo Eno as his successor, the Executive Chairman of Ika Local Government Area, Hon. Malachy Ukpeh, has decided to tow a different path of belief.
Hon. Ukpeh is rather of the view that Gov. Udom’s choice of Pst. Umo Eno among other capable hands is a fallout of his long held belief in, and close watch of, Pst. Umo Eno’s capacity and integrity in public service over the past years.
He stated this at a press briefing held recently in his office, where he, first, described Governor Udom Emmanuel as an achiever
“One conviction I have is that Gov. Udom Emmanuel has achieved so much. We can not begin to name them because they’re too numerous to mention. For a governor that is able to birth an airline where the entire Nigeria airline is impossible to operate at the federal level, that means he has done a miracle. And so when a man has such potentials I see him to be a wise man. He has given us good leadership. Being a man that has been able to lead the state and put the state on the global perspective in terms of aviation, I think such a man sees far based on his vantage position as Governor far more than every other citizens of the State” – he said.
In his rather unpopular opinion, Hon. Ukpeh went further to successfully lay to rest some strongly held belief in some quarters, that Gov. Udom Emmanuel wants to plant a surrogate to perpetuate himself in power, noting that Gov. Udom is not a greedy man and can not wish to misdirect Akwa Ibomites. On this, he said Udom’s choice of Pst Umo Eno springs from deep conviction
“Now, we’re talking about succession. As this government is winding down, the question should be how we will bring up a new government that will continue these achievements. Having watched, seen and learned from all these things, I was then convinced that Udom Emmanuel is sufficiently equiped with knowledge and information to be able to identify the right character to give us the next level governance. And he said, he waited on God for guidance. I think I don’t have any other reason to doubt a man who has waited that long, having been spoken to, inspired by God, and has confirmed a candidate. That is why I’m sold out to the candidature of Pst. Umo Eno whom I know is an erudite entrepreneur who has done well in the hospitality industry” – he averred.
Going on a memory lane, the Council Boss also recounted his many beautiful encounters with Pst. Umo Eno during his hay days in the hospitality industry.
He said Pst. Umo Eno was always very accessible, all-embracing and meticulous in his day-to-day running of his facilities
“I knew him in Eket during my industry days. I have been to some of his facilities. I have seen his activities and how he runs his businesses. If a man is able to run a business that develop from level to level, I think we don’t need to look else where. What we need in Akwa Ibom State is jobs and this is a job Creator par excellence. So, my support is for Pst. Umo Bassey Eno, without any doubt””
Hon. Ukpeh used the opportunity to thank the stakeholders of Ika from whom he said he has “drawn a lot of inspiration and has enjoyed a lot of ideas and supports both physically, morally and spiritually”.
He also Thank the entire Government team from the executive led by himself to all the supervisors and the legislature led by leader of council, Hon. Iboro Okpo. “So far so good”, he maintains, “we have built and enjoyed seamless synergy that has given us a stable governance in Ika LGA”
The Council Boss did not rest on his oars to enjoin the people of Ika to continue in their supports for the Government, noting that since government is a continuum, a lot will be created and achieved by the grace of God in the next dispensation.
