PDP Official Warns Akwa Ibom Governor Against 'Koboko' Leadership if Re-elected

A member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) caretaker committee in Akwa Ibom State, Unwana Assam, has issued a warning that Governor Umo Eno's "I'm not your receptionist" statement indicates a more severe and less tolerant approach to governance should the Akwa Ibom governor win a subsequent term.

Mr. Assam articulated these concerns in a Facebook post on March 3rd, reacting to Governor Eno's prior remarks. The governor had, on March 1st, during a monthly prayer and fasting service at the Government House in Uyo, addressed complaints from former political officeholders who alleged he does not answer phone calls.

"Stop saying the governor does not pick phone (calls). Am I your receptionist? That is even an insult to say the governor does not answer calls. Who are you? Who is even talking?" Governor Eno had stated.

This comment drew significant public criticism, prompting the state government to attempt to mitigate the controversy. Aniekan Umanah, Akwa Ibom Commissioner for Information, described the governor's statement as a joke made in a light- hearted context during the gathering.

However, Mr. Assam countered this interpretation, asserting that the governor's remark raises serious questions about his potential reactions to dissent if he is re-elected. "This is just the first term of the governor, and he behaves and talks to the Akwa Ibom people like this," Mr. Assam posted. "If by any slight mistake he wins a second term, there is every possibility that the All Nations Church pastor will use a koboko on everyone."

The PDP official employed the term "koboko," historically referring to a whip used for corporal punishment, as a metaphor to express his fears of an increasingly intolerant political environment under a potential second Eno administration.

Governor Eno is recognized as the founder and pastor of All Nations Christian Ministry International, with its headquarters located in Eket Local Government Area.

Mr. Assam further argued that public officials must exercise caution and awareness regarding the impact of their words on the populace. "A responsible administration should be able to address public concerns without resorting to insults, abuse of citizens, dramatic storytelling, or dismissing media coverage as fiction," he commented.

He stressed that effective governance necessitates restraint and respect for citizens, especially within a sensitive political landscape. "Governance is not measured by the volume of laughter and applause by appointees in a government’s banquet hall. It is measured by how words land in the homes of the people."

He concluded by stating, "Governance, like I always say, is a serious business, not stand-up comedy. And public office is not a private banquet."

Subsequently, a video clip containing the governor's remarks was removed from the government's official Facebook page.