Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has decried the role political parties play in fostering division among Nigerians, calling instead for a politics anchored on unity, maturity, and inclusive governance.
Speaking on Comfort 95.1 FM in Uyo on Wednesday, Governor Eno emphasized that political affiliations should not tear communities apart, especially after elections have ended and governance begins.
“Why must political parties divide us?” the governor asked. “We are first Akwa Ibomites before anything else.”
He described political parties in Nigeria as “vehicles” to attain power rather than ideological institutions—a far cry from what obtains in mature democracies. Drawing a comparison to the American political system, Eno observed that Nigerian parties lack the ideological distinctiveness seen between Democrats and Republicans.
“Can you tell me the ideology of any party in Nigeria?” he asked rhetorically. “People keep moving from one party to another. So, what then defines us?”
According to Eno, once elected, leaders must shift from partisan loyalty to inclusive governance.
“I see the party as a vehicle to get to power — and once you get there, govern everyone,” he said. “We must stop being petty. Let’s be united, regardless of the party we belong to.”
His remarks come amid speculation about his own political future, particularly following statements he made likening the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to a faulty aircraft. Speaking earlier this week, Eno had warned that the PDP—his current party—was at risk of fragmentation ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“If my party’s aircraft has technical issues and I need to be somewhere important, would I not board another flight?” he asked, using aviation as a metaphor for his potential political transition. “I love Ibom Air, it’s our airline, but if there’s a technical problem, I won’t miss my appointment.”
His comments triggered backlash, with some critics accusing him of “demarketing” Ibom Air. But Eno clarified that he was merely making an analogy and reaffirmed his commitment to the state-owned airline.
“Ibom Air remains one of the best in the country. But let’s not misinterpret analogies,” he said.
In a swift response to Eno’s political aircraft analogy, APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, welcomed the governor’s metaphor and seized the moment to court his defection.
“We couldn’t agree more that Plane PDP has become demonstrably inoperable and unsafe for travel,” Morka said in a statement. “We assure Governor Eno that a flight with us will be a mighty good ride to remember.”
While Governor Eno has not formally announced a switch to another party, his remarks appear to be laying the groundwork for a potential realignment as the political landscape begins to shift in preparation for the 2027 elections.
For now, the Akwa Ibom governor says his focus remains on good governance, adding that what truly matters is delivering on the mandate—not the platform that secured it.
