Umo Eno’s exemplary leadership; reason no protest in Akwa Ibom 

By Emmanuel Nicholas

Most opposition political leaders would have chosen to invest billions in sponsoring #Endbadgovernmentprotest rather than convincing the populace to refrain from participating in such civil action.

In the best interest of People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Governor Umo Eno should be supporting the protest due to his opposing political affiliation from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

He would have been aiming to undermine and criticize the president’s administration to improve his party’s chances in the upcoming 2026/2027 general election.

However, Governor Umo Eno envisions a new Nigeria where all stakeholders must come together to rebuild the country’s economy, combat poverty, alleviate hardship, address food scarcity, instill hope, and reduce homelessness.

The Governor of Akwa Ibom State is fully committed to collaborating with the President to ensure that Nigeria regains its rightful place among the community of nations.

Instead of funding protests against the President, he decided to encourage patience among the people, emphasizing that the birth of a new Nigeria is inevitable.

And one may ask, why did the people listen to him and obey his voice unconditionally?

It is because Governor Umo Eno has revolutionized political leadership by prioritizing the interests of the people, relinquishing the sole authority to make decisions and returning it to the constituents who granted him their mandate.

He has maintained a continuous dialogue with all citizens and residents, which has contributed significantly to his peaceful leadership.

Umo Eno engages with citizens and actively interacts with various ethnic groups such as Ọhanaeze Ndigbo, Arewa, and Afenifere communities living in Akwa Ibom State.

He consistently shares his plans for the State with them and sincerely seeks their feedback.

Furthermore, Governor Umo Eno ensures that the youth and women are actively involved in his administration, by consulting them on every major or minor decision.

He also seeks guidance from traditional leaders and family heads, fostering inclusivity to ensure transparency, accountability, and he is running a government that is accessible to all.

By transcending political party lines and bridging divides, Governor Umo Eno has distinguished himself as a prominent leader in Nigeria, even earning the respect of opposition parties who serve as critical watchdogs of the ruling party.

During the launching of his ARISE AGENDA, His Excellency extended invitations to all leaders and stakeholders from various political parties to participate in the development of these policies.

Some of them led the discussions and professional deliberations that shaped the blueprint of the ARISE AGENDA.

This act does not demonstrate weakness; rather, it reflects strength and embodies the true essence of a servant leader who recognizes that democracy entails the direct or indirect involvement of the people in governing.

His open-door approach has significantly contributed to Governor Umo Eno being widely embraced and celebrated as the most humane Governor in Nigeria.

By empowering the people to partake in decision-making processes, Governor Umo has fostered a governance system where the people hold the reins.

The Governor’s skill in bringing together stakeholders from diverse sectors of the state, such as residents from different social classes, ethnicities, youth, women, traditional leaders, and political party Stakeholders, led to a quick resolution that halted the #Endbadgovermentprotests in the State, demonstrated his widespread support by the populace.

Though, it may appear miraculous to those who are unfamiliar with his leadership style.

However, to the majority of Nigeria’s population, this achievement is not magic but a testimony to the strong relationships that Governor Umo has cultivated with the governed.

A political philosopher, Alban James, stated that returning the mandate to the people, which they freely granted you during the election, will enhance their trust in your governance and result in receiving spontaneous support from them.

Nelson Mandela also said when the masses become the leaders of the Government, the Government work is made easy

So, the ability of Pastor Umo Eno being able to convince the people of Akwa Ibom State not to take part in the Protest, instead letting them look inward how to develop the State and make food sufficient and avoidable is as a result of his humility in leadership.

Governor Umo Eno also assured the Youth that he will soon roll out a social welfare scheme that will make the youth to benefit at least fifty thousand Naira every month, and he is targeting about 10 thousand youth monthly.

The protest against bad governance would have taken place despite the Governor’s persuasion and explanatory to the people, if the Governor was not running a good Governance that was not people’s centric.

Governor Umo Eno believes that a people-centric government is not just a lofty ideal, but a practical necessity for a thriving society. He set out to create a culture of transparency, accessibility, and inclusivity in all aspects of his governance.

Empowering the people became a cornerstone of Umo Eno’s administration. He has launched initiatives to promote civic engagement, education, and entrepreneurship, providing opportunities for residents to shape their futures.

Under Governor Umo Eno rural areas have experienced a revitalization with the establishment of high-quality health centers, model schools, an improved network of roads, and the renovation of rural markets.

These initiatives provide resources and programs to enhance the well-being of all residents, irrespective of their political affiliations, tribal backgrounds, or circumstances.

Governor Umo Eno has created platforms for stakeholders to engage with him regularly. These opportunities allow citizens to voice their concerns, share ideas, and provide feedback directly to their Governor.

Eno and his team actively listen to these voices, considering them when making decisions that will impact lives.

The Governor heralds a new era of governance focused on the people, their needs, and their aspirations.

Umo is a forward-thinking leader who champions an innovative governance strategy dedicated to driving tangible change and advancement for the individuals under his care.

Akwa Ibom remained peaceful due to his inspiring leadership, while over 17 people have lost their lives across Nigeria, with looters causing the loss of property worth billions of Naira and damaging government installations.

The sustainability of governance at this level in Akwa Ibom State is secure, as the people have complete trust in Governor Umo Eno’s leadership and will always heed to his guidance and requests.

A leader who listens to the people and respects the views of the governed will consistently earn the trust and obedience of the people.