HOW GOVERNOR UMO ENO’S LEADERSHIP MODEL REFLECTED IN THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT ELECTIONS
Emmanuel Nicholas
The peaceful local election in Akwa Ibom State is symbolic of the leadership style orchestrated by Governor Umo Eno. In contrast, other states in Nigeria have found it difficult to conduct elections, and even when elections are held, they are marred by violence and heavy vandalism.
Governor Umo Eno’s attitude towards governance has also promoted public trust in his leadership, leading the people of Akwa Ibom to fully believe in his judgments.
This public trust, along with his inclusive leadership that breaks down political party divides, has helped unify various political affiliations.
It has encouraged other political parties to have faith in the People’s Democratic Party and the quality of candidates they present, largely due to the Governor Umo Eno’s leadership style.
This unifying approach dissuades other political parties from fielding candidates in significant numbers during local government elections.
Out of over 50 political parties in Nigeria, only 12 participated in the Akwa Ibom State Local Government Election, indicating a significant decline in the number of political parties that have participated in previous local government elections in the state.
Upon deeper research, it becomes evident that many of these political parties do not have candidates in all the local government areas,because they know that PDP has presented credible Candidates.
Only the APC managed to present candidates in all the local government areas, but in most of these areas, they did not field more than four councilorship candidates. This suggests that their participation was more of a decoy.
Another aspect that has proven beyond any reasonable doubt is the Governor Umo Bassey Eno’s nature of leadership, which has really convinced other political parties to believe in his judgments.
This is why, after fielding a few candidates, these political parties did not even campaign, clearly showing that they are not serious about contesting in the election, knowing fully well that the Peoples Democratic Party, under the leadership of Pastor Umo Eno, has provided credible candidates to manage the affairs of local government administrations across the state.
Another aspect that the leadership style of Governor Umo Eno has influenced is the non-violent nature of the election. The conduct of all participants was peaceful, with no deaths recorded, no ballot box snatching, and no injuries sustained by any individual.
This feat has never been recorded in previous local government elections in the state; there was always a plethora of violence, along with incidents that led to the deaths of people, and there was always election tension with the coloration of snatching ballot boxes.
The 2024 Akwa Ibom State local government election is qualified by election observers as the most peaceful and credible election ever conducted by any state in Nigeria.
Meanwhile , the Minister of Petroleum (Gas), Obong Ekperikpe Ekpo, an APC chieftain, on Saturday, when he cast his vote, adjudged the local government election in Akwa Ibom State to be very credible and peaceful.
He went ahead to appreciate the Governor for living up to his words by allowing a level playing field for all political parties to cast their votes without any violence or molestation.
And the victories recorded by the Peoples Democratic Party, winning 30 local government areas out of 31, are significant to his performance since assuming office as the Governor of the State. .
To most people in Akwa Ibom, it is a miracle made in Galilee to see the APC record a win in Essien Udim Local Government Area.
But this further proves to everyone that Governor Umo Eno is a man of peace and a transparent leader, who sees political platforms as ladders to lift others when they are falling.
Before the election, a prominent political writer and stakeholder of the All Progressives Congress forewarned (APC) members in Akwa Ibom not to waste their energy, money, and time contesting the council elections because the PDP would naturally sweep the polls because the acceptability of Governor Umo Eno by all Akwa Ibom people.
He stated that the APC in Akwa Ibom was too weak, factionalized, demoralized, demotivated, and despondent to win any election, and that the leadership style of Governor Umo Eno had molded Akwa Ibom State almost into a one-party State.
His words were prophetic, as evidenced by the overwhelming success of the PDP in the 360 wards of Akwa Ibom State.
The Peoples Democratic Party secured victory in 357 wards, losing in only two, solidifying its status as the dominant and established party in the state.
The election results have demonstrated Governor Umo Eno’s leadership capabilities, showing that the people of Akwa Ibom State have chosen to support his governance.
In various forums, citizens have expressed clearly that Akwa Ibom State is blessed by God with a wise and peaceful leader, one who aims to unite and develop the state without political bias or ethnic division.
