The recent video clip of Gov. Umo’s tirade against esteemed Sen. John James Akpan Udoedehe has caused quite a stir in Akwa Ibom State. The governor’s unstatemanly hubris and alarming nescience displayed in the video is beyond disconcerting. As citizens of this great state, it is our duty to speak up and hold our leaders accountable for their actions.
First and foremost, it is important to remember that the governor is a public servant, elected to serve the people of Akwa Ibom State. This means that he should be accessible and open to listening to the concerns and advice of his constituents, especially those with the knowledge and experience to guide him in his service. As such, his demand to know who Sen. Udoedehe is to expect him to answer his calls is a clear display of arrogance and a betrayal of the duties of his position.
Furthermore, Gov. Umo’s question about what Sen. Udoedehe has brought to Akwa Ibom State showcases his lack of knowledge and understanding about the onshore-offshore dichotomy advocacy. While the governor may enjoy the abundance that this advocacy has brought to the state, he fails to recognize the significant role that men like Sen. Udoedehe have played in securing these benefits for our dear state. It is, to this extent, unbecoming of a leader to publicly mock and belittle an elder statesman who has dedicated his life to the betterment of Akwa Ibom State.
As we reflect on this unfortunate incident, it is important for Gov. Umo to also consider his own humble beginnings before being handed the esteemed position of governor. We very graciously like to enlighten the Governor with the wisdom of Chinua Achebe’s famous proverb from “Things Fall Apart” – “Men whose palm kernels have been cracked for them by a benevolent spirit should not forget to be humble.”
Laconically, before becoming someone of importance today, Pastor Umo Eno was once a “nobody”, and he should remember to conduct himself appropriately and with humility bearing in mind the admonition of James 4:6 that “God opposes the proud but shows favour to the humble.”
Alas, Umo Eno who portrayed himself as a humble pastor when he sought our support and votes to be Governor in 2023 should know that he is becoming a despotic stranger to the people of Akwa Ibom State every time he acts or opens his mouth to speak since he became Governor. His recent disrespectful behavior towards Sen. Udoedehe is a real time transmission of this sad reality.
Hence, may we therefore return the question on behalf of every Akwa Ibom son, daughter, elder and statesman that he has so far mistreated and/or disrespected, Pastor Umo Eno, who were you in Akwa Ibom State before you became Governor?
