Former governor Udo
The Akwa Ibom State Government has dismissed reports alleging that Governor Umo Eno ordered the withdrawal of security personnel attached to his predecessor, former Governor Udom Emmanuel.
The state’s Commissioner for Information, Aniekan Umanah, described the claims as “inflammatory and concocted lies,” urging the public to disregard the report, which he said was based entirely on falsehoods.
A publication (not from DAILY GAZETTE) had alleged that Governor Eno ordered the removal of security from Mr Emmanuel’s residence over a political rift related to the 2027 elections.
The report cited a directive dated 30 September, allegedly signed by a police officer, ASP Ekwo Godwin, instructing operatives to withdraw from the former governor’s residence by October 1 and report to the state police headquarters for debriefing.
The publication also claimed the same order affected former state officials who did not join the ruling APC, linking the move to political tensions between Governor Eno and Udom Emmanuel.
However, in a statement released Sunday by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Ekerete Udoh, Umanah firmly rejected the story.
He stressed that only the Inspector-General of Police or the State Commissioner of Police can authorize such withdrawals, not a sitting governor.
“I can tell you on good authority that the Governor did not issue any directive to withdraw security operatives from the immediate past Governor,” Umanah said.
He added that all former governors of Akwa Ibom State continue to receive the security protection they are entitled to by law and that no complaint or official report had been received from Udom Emmanuel or his aides regarding any such withdrawal.
“To the best of our knowledge, there has been no complaint or report from any former governor or their media aides about the withdrawal of security personnel,” he added.
“The rumour exists only in the imagination of those peddling it.”
Umanah reiterated that Governor Eno remains committed to peace, unity, and inclusive governance, ensuring that all citizens, regardless of political alignment, are treated fairly under the law.
