Akwa-Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno
Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno has scaled through his screening exercise with the All Progressives Congress and has been cleared to contest in the party’s forthcoming governorship primaries later this month.
The screening, which took place on Saturday at the Plateau State Governor’s Lodge in Asokoro, Abuja, was part of the APC’s scheduled screening process for aspirants seeking the party’s ticket across the country.
In a statement made available to the media, Eno, was quoted as having appeared before members of the party’s National Working Committee chaired by the Party’s National Chairman, Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda, for verification and eligibility assessment, was at the conclusion of the exercise invited to take a bow before the panel after being formally cleared.
Speaking during the screening, Governor Eno said his administration has remained committed to the ARISE Agenda blueprint and, within three years, executed numerous people-oriented projects across the 31 local government areas of the state. He emphasized that his second term bid is aimed at consolidating the achievements already recorded in infrastructure, healthcare, rural development, and social welfare.
The Governor noted that one of the initiatives closest to his heart is the Compassionate Homes project targeted at providing decent shelter for vulnerable women in rural communities.
According to him, the administration targets the construction of 500 homes, adding that over 400 have already been completed within three years, with optimism that the remaining units would be delivered within the next year.
He further explained that every local government area in the state has benefited from at least one major project under his administration, while several healthcare facilities have also been built to improve access to quality healthcare services.
Governor Eno added that Akwa Ibom was recently recognized as having one of the fastest-growing health agencies in Sub-Saharan Africa due to strategic investments in the sector.
Eno also revealed that he facilitated the defection of two senators, eight members of the House of Representatives, 24 members of the State House of Assembly, and 360 ward councillors into the APC. He commended Senate President, Godswill Akpabio for supporting his administration and aligning with his vision for a greater Akwa Ibom.
He also commended members of the National Working Committee for what he described as a seamless screening process.
The APC National Chairman commended the rapid pace of development in the state and encouraged the Governor to sustain the momentum for the benefit of the people.
He noted that the progress in governance and development has been made possible because the Governor enjoys the support and acceptance of the people.
Governor Eno attended the screening alongside members of the State Executive Council, including the Secretary to the State Government, Enobong Uwah; the APC State Chairman, Stephen Ntukekpo; as well as members of the National Assembly.
In related development, the Governor played host to a delegation of members of the National Assembly at the Akwa Ibom State Lodge, Abuja who visited to congratulate him on the successful screening and reaffirm their confidence in his leadership.
Speaking on behalf of the delegation, Aniekan Bassey, a senator representing Uyo senatorial district lauded Governor Eno for keeping his promise of uniting the people and sustaining peace in the state, pledging unwavering support for the administration and its ARISE Agenda vision.
Also speaking, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, described Governor Eno’s leadership as peaceful and unifying, noting that Akwa Ibom presently has only one governorship aspirant cleared by the APC — a development he described as unprecedented.
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