The Akwa Ibom State Government has dismissed allegations that Governor Umo Eno instigated the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to seize a Lagos property allegedly linked to former Governor Udom Emmanuel.
The government described the allegation as false and reckless, insisting that Governor Eno has never reported his predecessor to the anti-graft agency.
The denial followed a social media video by the African Democratic Congress (ADC) governorship candidate, Senator John Akpanudoedehe, in which he alleged that Governor Eno was responsible for drawing the EFCC’s attention to the property.
Reacting in a statement issued on Sunday in Uyo, the state Commissioner for Information, Aniekan Umanah, said the allegation was baseless and capable of unnecessarily inflaming political tension in the state.
Umanah said, “Ordinarily, the Government of Akwa Ibom would not dignify such a tissue of lies with a response.
However, given the apparent intention to incite the public and create tension, we have chosen to set the record straight.
“For the avoidance of doubt, Governor Umo Eno has never reported anyone to the EFCC. I make bold to say that I have never reported anyone, let alone my predecessor in office, to the EFCC. I stand to be challenged or contradicted.”
The commissioner maintained that Eno had consistently demonstrated respect for former governors of the state and had pursued reconciliation and cordial relations with his predecessors.
He questioned why the governor would allegedly target members of the previous administration when his government had retained several officials who served under Emmanuel and continued projects initiated by past administrations.
“If Governor Eno were driven by any form of fury, why has he retained most of the persons who served under the former administration? Why has he continued and completed projects initiated by former Governors?” Umanah asked.
The state government urged Akpanudoedehe and other political actors to refrain from making allegations capable of undermining the peace and unity of Akwa Ibom.
It said the state had moved beyond what it described as “politics of falsehood, blackmail and manufactured controversies,” insisting that residents deserved a political culture centred on development, peace and responsible leadership.
The government further assured citizens that it would remain focused on the administration’s ARISE Agenda, including infrastructure, education, healthcare, agriculture, tourism, aviation and other development programmes.
While accusing its political opponents of being preoccupied with unfounded allegations, the government said the Eno administration remained committed to governance and projects it claimed were improving the lives of Akwa Ibom residents.
