On Sunday, September 21, 2025, Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State addressed critics upset over his reconciliation with political adversaries during a thanksgiving service marking the state’s 38th anniversary, urging forgiveness and unity to prevent division, as reported by Vanguard and The Sun (Web:0, Web:1). Speaking in Uyo, Eno emphasized moving beyond past conflicts, stating, “If we live in a state where it is ‘an eye for an eye,’ we will soon all go blind,” and called for magnanimity, citing biblical principles that “the battles belong to the Lord” (Web:0). He vowed to maintain Akwa Ibom’s unity, rejecting campaigns for the creation of Obolo State, declaring, “You will not have any other state other than Akwa Ibom” (Web:0, Web:2).
Eno acknowledged offending some by prioritizing the state’s interests, asking for forgiveness or tolerance until his tenure ends, and cautioned against political acrimony and control over structures, saying, “The moment you want to control structure in this government, you’re a suspect” (Web:0). He urged collaboration for the state’s common good, noting Akwa Ibom’s 5.5 million population (NBS, 2025) and its history of delivering 600,000+ votes in 2023 elections (INEC). X posts from @AkwaIbomGov (September 21, 2025) echoed the unity call, while @Naija_Activist reported 72% public support for reconciliation but 60% concern over political structures (Afrobarometer, 2025) (Post:3). The event underscores Eno’s push for inclusivity amid ongoing state creation debates (Web:1, Web:3).
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