Clement Warrie
“The Akwa Ibom project is higher than any political party. I have friends across different political parties. I am here as a peacemaker, a governor of all Akwa Ibom people. I have the Ministry of Reconciliation, and I will reconcile Akwa Ibom across party lines. I am the one that God has given the ministry of reconciliation”
~Pastor Umo Eno
March 16, 2023

These stirring words were delivered by Governor Umo Eno, on Thursday, March 16, 2023 when he engaged the Labour Union on the last day of his gubernatorial campaign. On that day, the governor appeared quite fired up. His speech was rousing, unexpected and entertaining. Entertaining, because frankly, a regular politician is known to craft sonatas of sweet nothings to appease the electorates. Therefore, for the governor to have claimed in his speech that he will make friends and reconcile with his political adversaries wasn’t exactly amusing or reassuring, after all, politicians never forgive their enemies, and politics, at its core, is a game of vendetta and venom.
Not with Governor Umo Eno, though. To everyone, Governor Umo Eno is perhaps a renegade of conventional politics. He has proven this time and again, consistently demonstrating admirable propensity for conciliatory leadership, inclusive governance, and alignment of rebellious interests to win over foes and foster sustainable peace among the people.
On Friday, February 28, 2025, the governor’s talent in promoting peace and bipartisan participation in politics of the State found yet another expression, when he led a coterie of distinguished persons from Akwa Ibom State, on a visit to the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in Abuja. Top on that list was the Senate president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
As anticipated, a cascade of positive bipartisan reactions greeted the august outing and swept through the media landscape.
Bassey Ukpong, a WhatsApp commenter extolled the governor’s style of leadership calling it, “deep and profound “
Similarly, Uduakabong Odung, a handsome young man, judging by his WhatsApp profile picture, was effusive in his praise for Governor Umo Eno, exclaiming “what a beautiful time to be alive”,
Indeed, what a beautiful time to be alive! Alive to witness Obong Bassey Albert, the seemingly irrepressible political foe of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, locked in a warm embrace with Governor Eno. What a time to be alive!
Said Ahmed Bola Tinubu, GCFR, president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to the Akwa Ibom contingent during that historic visit “You have a very good governor and he has the fear of God and love for his people”.
The President was not alone in his praise of Governor Umo Eno. The Senate president, Senator Akpabio, was equally effusive in his admiration. “This is the first time,” exclaimed the senator “That the blue and white have come together. I come from home, I can see my people. Akwa Ibom has demonstrated the brotherhood we stand for, and it is the governor that has made this possible.”
It wasn’t the first time the senator had spoken well about the leadership style of governor Umo Eno, but he might have been overwhelmed with emotions this time.
To cap it off, during dinner on the same day, Anietie Ekong, the media manager to the Distinguished Senator, reported that he (the Senator) had reconciled with his successor in office, Mr Udom Emmanuel and that both of them shook hands at the earlier meeting at the Villa, the first time in nine years! "Henceforth that handshake shall continue in Jesus name. This is the Akwa Ibom I want to see," said Akpabio. He then urged his fellow stakeholders to make peace with their fellow compatriots.
Imoh Etimudo, media aide to Governor Umo Eno, offered his thoughts on the outcome of the historic outing in Abuja. “There could not have been a better expression to capture the scenario in Abuja where one leader was able to bring together in one chamber, men and women, who, ordinarily, would have been concluded are strange bedfellows, politically and otherwise. But the difference is in the leadership. Said Imoh
Indeed, Akwa Ibom is now a model of peace in Nigeria. The dragnet of the governor’s Reconciliation Ministry have circled round, embracing all, charming hearts and merging disparate voices, across political chasms.
The scripture verse of proverbs 29:2 is instructive. “When the righteous is on the throne, the people rejoice”, No further proofs is required. The rejoicing is self-evident and it speaks volume about the gains of the people-centric leadership of Governor Umo Eno in under two years in office.
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