…reacts to being labelled “Pharaoh” by Barr. Ewa Okpo, a.k.a. Street Lawyer
Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has responded sharply to comments made by the State Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Barr. Ewa Okpo—popularly known as “Street Lawyer”—who recently referred to him as “Pharaoh” during a political exchange.
Speaking during a stakeholder meeting on Monday, Governor Eno condemned what he described as growing reckless rhetoric in the political space, stressing that public officers and party officials must exercise restraint and uphold decorum.
Reacting directly to Okpo’s self-acclaimed moniker, “Street Lawyer,” the governor said anyone who openly claims to live “in the street” needs help, not applause.
“Anybody who says he lives in the street, we need to take him to church for deliverance because that’s madness. It’s only mad people that live in the street,” Governor Eno said pointedly, drawing murmurs from the audience.
The governor insisted that name-calling and inflammatory statements do not contribute to the development of the state. According to him, politics must remain an avenue for constructive engagement and responsible leadership, not a platform for insults.
He urged political actors to maintain respect for institutions and leaders, stressing that disagreements should be expressed with civility. Governor Eno added that he remains focused on delivering the mandate entrusted to him by Akwa Ibom people and would not be distracted by what he called “unnecessary provocations.”
Barr. Okpo had earlier criticized the governor in a public statement, describing him as “Pharaoh” and accusing his administration of being disconnected from the political realities of the state. The remarks have since generated debates on social media and within PDP circles.
Governor Eno reassured the public that his commitment to peace, development, and unity remains unwavering, appealing to all political stakeholders to prioritize the progress of the state over personal or partisan conflicts.
Chief Edet Isong, Okete Okete Oro