Umo Eno: Leaders standing on gunwales, grasping boat sail

Emmanuel Nicholas

The man standing at the Gunwales of the canoe, controlling the sailboat feels and knows the direction of the wind. He knows how to firm his footing to stay tight in the canoe, so the power of the wind will not knock him down and drown him in the ocean.

Instead, he positioned the sailboat in the direction of the wind and allowed it to sail the canoe to the desired destination, without missing the way.

. He possesses an innate understanding of how to anchour the boat sail, securing his footing with resolute determination, lest the tempestuous breath of the wind conspire to cast him into the abyss, where the ocean’s depths await to embrace him in their watery grasp.

With keen perception, he discerns the ominous approach of the ocean’s tempest, a harbinger of chaos that threatens to rend the fragile vessel asunder amidst the tumultuous embrace of the surging waves.

Meanwhile, the soul seated within the canoe remains blissfully unaware of the dire fate that looms, oblivious to the cataclysmic forces that conspire against their fragile sanctuary upon the vast and merciless sea.

He grasped the sailboat and maneuvered the canoe in the wind’s direction, yet a bystander failed to comprehend the geographical skill required to navigate the canoe to safety.

Governor Umo Bassey Eno stands as the steadfast captain at the helm of his administration, navigating the tumultuous waters of governance.

Positioned at the forefront of the political canoe, he is acutely aware of the towering waves of challenges that threaten to engulf him, as well as the fierce winds that seek to steer him off course.

This profound understanding is encapsulated in his assertion: “I am the driver; I possess the knowledge of the treacherous roads ahead, the locations of the potholes, and the optimal paths to traverse, ensuring that we do not capsize on our journey.”

Those who cast blame upon him from their seats of complacency fail to grasp the complexities of his position; they do not perceive the realities he confronts, for they remain behind him while he forges ahead as the leader.

His metaphorical expression resonates with the wisdom of local Ibibio proverbs, which articulate that the individual steering the journey through the stream possesses a clearer vision of the safest route.

The act of defecting to another political party is rarely a palatable choice for any politician, as it demands considerable energy and time to persuade supporters to realign with a new vision.

In the case of Governor Umo Eno, who has steadfastly remained a member of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) throughout his political career, the decision to transition to the All Progressives Congress (APC) was not made lightly. It required immense courage and a comprehensive analysis of the political landscape, coupled with a profound spiritual discernment of what the future would become.

Governor Eno is acutely aware of the potential pitfalls that lie ahead in his quest for a second term. He has engaged in negotiations and secured assurances regarding the advantages this transition may yield for the state.

This movement is not merely a self-serving political maneuver; rather, it is a strategic initiative aimed at bettering the collective welfare of Akwa Ibom State.

Critics who continue to judge and condemn the Governor for his shift to the APC resemble those who sit at the bottom of the canoe, unable to perceive the challenges and opportunities that the individual steering the boat encounters.

They are akin to the followers of the leader guiding others through the stream, as only he possesses the insight into the dangers and the most prudent paths to take.

Governor Umo Eno embodies the role of the Pathfinder for this current administration. Let us grant him the opportunity to lead us toward a land abundant with prosperity and opportunity, a land flowing with milk and honey.