Governor Umo Eno has stated that many people are angry with him for mingling with opponents of his political fortunes in Akwa Ibom State.
The governor, during Sunday’s thanksgiving in Uyo, urged those who were aggrieved to forgive him and those who couldn’t forgive to tolerate him until he leaves office because he can’t stop embracing all Akwa Ibomites.
The governor also expressed his desire for Akwa Ibom to remain united, vowing to guarantee that those advocating for the state’s split in the quest for statehood were unsuccessful.
He told the congregation, “A lot of people are angry with me. They say, “Oh, people that fought you, you’re now greeting them. People that did this, did that. And I say if we live in a country or a state where it is ‘an eye for an eye,’ we will soon all go blind.
“Let’s learn to put the past behind us and learn to be magnanimous in victory. Let’s learn to understand that all of those things (political conflicts) happened so that the glory of God and the supremacy of God will be revealed.
“The moment we fail to understand the place of God in our lives, then we want to take on our battles. My Bible tells me the battles belong to the Lord. There is a time and season for everything under the sun.
“Let’s rise above ethnicity. Rise above parochialism, above hatred, deep-seated hatred. I pray the people you’re fighting with, may your children’s paths cross. May they bring themselves home to you, seated, that they want to marry themselves.”
Warning against unending political acrimony, Eno asked, “What are we fighting for? Too many meetings. You finish holding a meeting, and they start another one. People want to control structure. The moment you want to control structure in this government, you’re a suspect.
“Forgive one another. Let’s work together for the common good of our state. Every patriotic citizen should be interested in the state. That is what this unity is about. Every Akwa Ibom leader in any sphere of life is important, and we will work with them and ensure we honor and respect them.”
Speaking to those campaigning for the creation of Obolo state out of Akwa Ibom, Eno boasted, “You will not have any other state other than Akwa Ibom. Even those struggling to split Akwa Ibom may not succeed because Akwa Ibom remains one. Am telling you now.”
“Those I’ve offended one way or the other, find it in your heart to forgive me. It is because anything that stands between me and the interest of Akwa Ibom State, I will choose the interest of Akwa Ibom. So if in doing that I’ve offended you, forgive me.
“Tolerate me for a few more years; I will soon leave, and then another governor will come. Note that anything that stands in the overall interest of the state, I will be on the side of the state, not on the side of an individual.”
