Human rights lawyer Inibehe Effiong has sharply criticised Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, after a video surfaced showing the governor endorsing President Bola Tinubu for a second term.
Posting on his verified X (formerly Twitter) account on Wednesday, Effiong described the endorsement as “irresponsible” and emblematic of the “destructive political culture” that has gripped Akwa Ibom State.
“The trending and embarrassing video of Governor Umo Eno endorsing Tinubu should not surprise anyone familiar with the cancerous partisanship and criminal enterprise disguised as governance in Akwa Ibom,” Effiong wrote.
He condemned the governor—who hails from the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)—for backing a president whose administration, he argued, has worsened economic hardship and deepened nepotism in Nigeria.
“It’s both preposterous and sickening that a supposed opposition governor would publicly endorse one of the most incompetent and dangerous regimes in our country’s modern history,” he said.
Effiong also questioned Governor Eno’s credibility as a clergyman, accusing him of hypocrisy. “He parades himself as a pastor, but has shown no fear of God. He speaks like a man of faith but acts like every other typical Nigerian politician.”
He further lambasted what he called a “shameless alliance” between the PDP and the ruling APC in Akwa Ibom, citing Governor Eno’s previous endorsement of Senate President Godswill Akpabio as evidence.
“Since Akpabio became Senate President, the APC has been useless as an opposition in Akwa Ibom. The governor panders to Akpabio, and their alliance is about power and resource control—not the people’s welfare.”
Effiong accused both parties of collusion, calling their relationship “an unholy marriage” built on mutual self-interest. He alleged that Governor Eno uses philanthropy and tokenism to mask his failures and deceive the public.
“What pains me most is how many people in Akwa Ibom have accepted the slavery imposed by corrupt politicians. Only slaves defend those who impoverish and oppress them.”
He warned that Eno could soon formally defect to the APC, arguing that the PDP no longer functions as a credible opposition. “The PDP is already in the APC’s pocket—crippled by its addiction to corruption and electoral fraud.”
Effiong also referenced alleged corruption under former governor Udom Emmanuel, linking Eno’s endorsement to a broader strategy of seeking political protection.
“We heard the EFCC had interest in the billions looted under Udom Emmanuel. Not long after, Umo Eno endorsed Tinubu. In Nigeria, joining the APC is the easiest way for looters to find cover.”
Concluding, Effiong called on Akwa Ibom residents and Nigerians to reject what he described as a self-serving endorsement.
“Umo Eno did not speak for Akwa Ibom. He spoke for himself. I reject his witchcraft endorsement. I urge all decent, self-respecting citizens to do the same.”
