GOV. UMO ENO: DEFINING THE LIFE OF A CLERGY IN POLITICS

Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, is one man who has distinguished himself in office, not just as a Governor, but as a Clergy. His service to the state is coming at a time where hopes have heightened, and leadership is taking a new drive.

Pastor Umo Eno, who rode on the support of the church to the hilltop mansion, has left no one in doubt that he came to serve Akwa Ibom people. Just as J. Oswald Sanders opined, “True greatness, true leadership, is found in giving yourself in service to others, not in coaxing or inducing others to serve you.” The Governor has given himself to service and leadership, and from the point of setting a template for what the future holds for other clergymen.

Former Norwegian Prime Minister, Kiell Magne Bondevik, was a Lutheran Minister, Joachim Gauck, President of Germany from 2012 to 2017, were Ministers of the gospel, who rose to power, including Jean-Betrand Aristide, the former President of Haiti, who was a Catholic Priest, all did well while in power.

Today in Benue State, we also have a Catholic Priest, who is a sitting Governor, and in Akwa Ibom State, where Pastor Umo Eno holds sway as the state’s helmsman. What Governor Umo Eno is doing in office, is to leave a precedent, for Clergies who will seek political office in future, which the Governor’s performance in the eyes of Akwa Ibom people will serve as a benchmark.

At the St. Anne Catholic Church, Ifuho, Ikot Ekpene, Governor Umo Eno said, “I know really, that the success of this Government will be a referendum for the Church, and to a large extent, will be the success for the church in Akwa Ibom, and will also give credence to any pastor in the future who will want to seek public office. So I hold this position in trust with all amount of care and diligence.”

One will agree with the Governor, that, some other person may govern the state and get away with many things, but in Akwa Ibom, the people see Governor Umo Eno, first as a Pastor, before seeing him as their Governor. Meaning that, his activities are naturally viewed from a religious perspective, and people will rather reference his pastoral calling as a yardstick in measuring his performance, than just a Governor.

The pulpit where Governor Umo Eno also takes charge, serves as an embodiment of humility, peace and compassion, where worshippers are shown genuine love through the example of Jesus Christ.

These attributes have largely influenced the Governor in his leadership traits, helping him to exemplify Christ example in his style of governance by following peace with all men, showing compassion to the most vulnerable and exemplifying the true spirit of a genuine child of God, anchored on humility and love for mankind.

In March 2024, the Governor set up the bulk purchase agency to make food available for the needy in Akwa Ibom State. In May 2024, Governor Umo Eno launched the ARISE compassionate homes, a free housing scheme for workers and vulnerables in the state. While his contemporaries may favour cronies in determining who gets a house, Pastor Umo Eno, driven by compassion, chose civil Servants to forever bring to an end, their housing needs.

So, conscious of this fact, Governor Umo Eno has stated that, he holds the position in trust, and Akwa Ibom people have so much belief in the Governor as a Pastor, because of how religious the state is.

The Governor’s life as a Pastor, and his governance style, is defining the template on which prism Akwa Ibom people will continue to see men of God, who will seek for their votes in future elections.

Dr. Eneh John is a Journalist, and writes from Ibeye Ikot Ndito, Ikot Uso Ekong, Eket, Akwa Ibom State.