By Ndifreke Bassey
The political leader of Uyo Senatorial District, Distinguished Senator Effiong Bob, has cautioned against what he described as unwarranted attacks on Governor Umo Eno, warning that the people of Uyo Senatorial District would resist any attempt to undermine the governor’s administration ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Speaking with journalists on the growing political activities in Akwa Ibom State, Senator Bob urged politicians and critics to embrace issue-based politics rather than resorting to personal attacks. He stressed that democratic engagement should be driven by constructive criticism and objective assessment of government performance, rather than efforts to disparage the governor’s integrity.
“If you want to play politics, play politics without bitterness. Play politics on issues, not attacking persons or going into personal matters,” he said.
According to the former senator, Governor Umo Eno, who hails from Uyo Senatorial District, deserves the same support and respect accorded previous governors from other senatorial districts. He argued that while the governor serves the entire state, persistent attacks on his person and administration could be interpreted as an affront to the people of the district.
Senator Bob warned that Uyo Senatorial District would not remain silent while its son was subjected to what he termed unnecessary criticism. He maintained that aspirants seeking elective offices should focus on presenting alternative ideas and programmes to the electorate rather than attacking the governor personally.
“Uyo Senatorial District people will resist every attempt, I mean every attempt, to bring down the governance structure of Umo Eno as a governor at this time,” he warned.
“Anybody that wants to contest election should articulate what you are going to do which you feel the governor has not done, and then, when you are there, you will do better.”
Defending the governor’s performance, Senator Bob said Governor Eno had remained committed to implementing the ARISE Agenda and the manifesto upon which he was elected. While acknowledging that not everyone might be satisfied with the administration’s approach, he insisted that the governor was working diligently to fulfil his campaign promises.
He further argued that Governor Eno should be allowed to complete what he described as the conventional eight-year tenure enjoyed by previous governors in the state. Drawing parallels with past administrations, he said it would be unfair to attempt to truncate the governor’s political trajectory after only three years in office.
“You cannot shift the goalpost while the match is on. He has just completed the third year in his first term,” he said, adding that the governor’s mandate should be allowed to run its full course.
On the 2027 governorship election, the political leader declared that Uyo Senatorial District remained firmly behind Governor Eno and believed he was performing creditably. He cited ongoing projects, including the International Conference Centre and Hilton Hotel, expressing confidence that residents would witness significant progress on the projects before the end of the year.
Senator Bob also highlighted the administration’s payment of pensions and gratuities as one of the governor’s major achievements, noting that such interventions might not be as physically visible as infrastructure projects but had directly impacted the lives of retirees across the state.
Reiterating his warning, he urged political actors to refrain from disparaging the governor’s integrity and instead allow the electorate to judge leaders based on their performance, vision, and contributions to the development of the state.
“Uyo Senatorial District would not stand by and see our governor, who is expected to complete and will complete eight years, being rubbished. If you want to contest an election, go and contest your election. Leave the governor alone,” he said.