I still enjoy a robust relationship with my political father – Gov Eno denies rift with Udom Emmanuel

Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State on Tuesday dismissed claims of a rift with his political mentor, former governor Udom Emmanuel.

Eno acknowledged Udom’s role in his emergence as governor, saying God used him to make it possible, and expressed lasting gratitude. He pledged to maintain respect for the state’s past leaders.

In an interview with Channels Television, the governor said: “I consulted with him and told him why I was leaving the party. Governor Udom Emmanuel is a man I truly respect and without God using him I will not be seated here.

“I will never be where Gov Udom is being talked about and I’m his product. He has mentored me and I worked for him as his Executive Director of Agric Investment, I served under him as the Adviser for Lands and I’m here.

“Again, what leadership throws on you – today there are things you want your kids to do but they will tell you this is what to do because you have exposed them and they can now tell you things.

“In my conscience I have not done any of those, I still enjoy a robust relationship with my political father, we talk and still relate.

“The part of mentoring was not that I was going to be in one party, We said I was going to govern the state and provide services to the people. We didn’t talk about staying in one party forever.

“We must differentiate the issues about taking political decisions, which is a dynamic thing to do. As a leader you have to be sensitive to your timing, you got to be dynamic in your decisions. I believe that I have not contravened or disrespected my political godfather, I wasn’t raised that way.

“I will continue to give respect to past leaders of our state.”