The Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Umo Eno, addressing the media in Uyo at the weekend, spoke about the pressure he faces from the political class.
Umo Eno, who was sworn into office on May 29, barely 4 months ago, said there is intense pressure on him to share money or risk his return to office for a second term.
However, the Akwa Ibom governor has claimed that he is bent on putting money into rural development as opposed to filling the pockets of politicians in order to gain a second term, which he termed a ‘useless second term’.
“I have received lots of threats from the political class that I won’t do a second term. I am putting money into rural development because a good first term is better than a useless second term,’ he said.
Also, addressing the issue of the governor paying his predecessor, Udom Emmanuel, a monthly N20 million fee, Umo disputed the allegation, calling it a ‘blatant lie’, and further adding that such allegations are only meant to create a rift between the former governor and him.
The clergy cum governor of Akwa Ibom State has declared his commitment to ensuring more job opportunities for the people in the state, mostly the youths. The need for job creation not just in urban areas but in the interlands has caused Governor Umo to impress upon the House of Assembly the need to enact the law for local government chairmen to leave the state capital to their LGAs for closer relationships with the people in the grassroots.
Governor Umo has asserted that he will not yield to the pressure on him to share money as he does not want to “put money in one person’s hands to the detriment of the 7.9 million population.”