An epigram from a critic to Gov. Umo Eno

Emmanuel Nicholas

When rumours of your aspiration first surfaced like a fable of the tortoise, I casually dismissed it with a wave of my hand, viewing it as a whimsical tale akin to a tortoise leading an elephant into a valley under moonlight.

We openly taunted and ridiculed you with disparaging remarks, even turning you into a subject of mockery in our social gatherings. When you eventually announced your decision to enter the primaries, we even went as far as mimicking your speech to belittle you.

I used to refer to you as a counterfeit European, and to make matters worse, we resorted to calling you an albino, resorting to body shaming tactics. While we perceived our candidate as a lion, I unfairly likened you to a sheep and dismissed your aspirations at the time as mere wishful thinking.

When a man of God appeared as a guest on a radio show and declared you as the future leader of Akwa Ibom State chosen by God himself, I silently questioned whether God’s intentions for Akwa Ibom were truly positive, if this was indeed His chosen path.

We speculated that it might not be the God of heavens behind this proclamation, but rather the local deities of Ikot Ekpene Udo, suggesting a deity lacking the divine discernment to accurately predict the next Governor of Akwa Ibom State.

Despite our belief that the gods of Ikot Ekpene Udo were ignorant and powerless, our opposition to your political aspirations seemed to only amplify the momentum towards your eventual ascension.

We resorted to manipulating media outlets in the state to suppress your remarkable qualities, yet instead of fading into obscurity due to our orchestrated smear campaigns, your reputation soared like a tornado into the sky.

Our attempts to discredit you with allegations of fake credentials were futile, as we bribed online influencers and mass media to tarnish your image, only to witness your popularity and support continue to flourish, almost as if by some mystical force or a magic made in Egypt.

As we persisted in using blackmail to undermine your morale and that of your supporters, our mission encountered a setback when our vision for a brighter future was shattered by confinement at ADX Florence.

Disheartened, we turned into fervent but desperate prayer warriors, beseeching for his release and praying for divine justice concerning your alleged certificate forgery.

We presented a man disguised as a masquerader to testify against you in court, only to be informed by the judge that masqueraders symbolize ancestral spirits.and , our supposed expert witness, a retired policeman, turned out to be a fugitive wanted by the EFCC.

Our optimism crumbled like a house in a severe earthquake, leaving us feeling like orphans in a time of intense struggle. Even our vocal protests in the streets of Uyo gradually alienated the public.

After a period of uncertainty, our hope was restored, and we were eagerly awaited your conviction by the Federal High Court, anticipating a swift resolution to our predicament.

We grieved intensely, like a man mourning the loss of his beloved wife or a hunter losing his prey, when the Federal High Court acquitted you of all accusations. However, we found solace in the hope that the Court of Appeal would deliver the justice we sought.

Our anguish deepened at the Appeal Court, where the Justices exacerbated our suffering by acquitting you of certificate forgery charges. We retreated into seclusion like worms, only to find ourselves at the Supreme Court the following day.

Had we known, we might have taken our case to the International Court, as our aspirations were shattered when the Supreme Court Judges ultimately dashed our hopes of your conviction and disqualification.

Despite this, you went on to become the candidate of the People’s Democratic Party, and we sought comfort in the familiar surroundings of our homeland by embracing vegetable.

During our campaign, we attempted to tarnish your image, but we were burdened by our own shortcomings, symbolized by the chains of shame around our necks.

We acted hypocritically, focusing on minor faults in others while ignoring our own glaring flaws. Despite our efforts, the people of Akwa Ibom elected you as their Governor, abandoning us in the process.

Seeking recourse at the Election Tribunal proved futile, as they swiftly dismissed our claims and declared you the rightful winner. Our subsequent appeal to the Court of Appeal yielded the same outcome, and our appearance before the Supreme Court led to our dismissal as if we were untouchables unworthy of their attention.

Our leader journeyed to join his master, and the majority of us returned to the shelter of the PDP, feeling like transgressors. However, you summoned us and clothed us with robes woven from gold.

You welcomed us back not as sinners, but as beloved brothers and sisters you had dearly missed. You provided us with food and we shared wine together.

You completely forgave and overlooked the pains we had caused you.

One moment touched my heart deeply – the way you embraced me to your chest as if I were one of your cherished children.

The kiss you placed on my forehead symbolizes an enduring love that I will never forget, sending waves of peace through my core like electricity. Today, I am proud to be from Akwa Ibom, where the people have chosen you as our Governor.

Your compassion for the most impoverished knows no bounds, evident in the 36 houses you have built for them and the ongoing construction of roughly a hundred and ten more. What a leader you are, who refuses to see his people in despair.

You consistently provide food to the poorest in my community, and the women of my village has become the beneficiaries . Today, you are the song and dance of our hearts.

When I see the modern schools you are constructing for our children, I envision a bright future for Akwa Ibom State. As I observe the health centers being established in rural communities, I hold onto hope that we will have a healthier population in Akwa Ibom State.

Witnessing the extensive road dualization project you are undertaking in Oro nation and the monumental 12-lane Ring Road 3 coming to Ibiono, my birthplace, I realize that I was truly fighting against God by opposing you.

Oh, my Governor, the most impactful thing you have done to endear yourself to the people is your heart filled with love and inclusivity towards all Akwa Ibom citizens. You have dismantled party divisions and eradicated tribal biases, proving that you are truly a man sent by God.

You have become like a melody to me, caring for me as a beloved child. You never display any signs that remind me of the pain I once caused you. If you hadn’t been elected as our Governor, I wouldn’t have witnessed the depth of your kindness and character.

You are truly the leader appointed by God, and I am grateful for your outstanding and compassionate guidance for all of us.

These are the sentiments shared by a former critics during his radio interview in Uyo.