“Only Those in the APC Register Will Get Contracts and Appointments” — Eno

Governor Umo Eno has said that only members of the All Progressives Congress whose names appear in the party register will be considered for government contracts and political appointments. He made the declaration on 29 November while addressing selected party elders at the Ukana residence of Senate President Godswill Akpabio in Essien Udim.

“We’ve taken the party register, and we are going to look at it and see whose name is not there,” Mr Eno told the gathering. “We’ve since dissolved the boards, and it was intentional because we cannot continue to carry the boards that are not loyal to the party.”

He added that the new boards would be reconstituted strictly using names from the APC register: “By the grace of God, we’d soon sit down and reconstitute the board using our party register.”

The governor’s comments mark a departure from his public assurance in June, when he joined the APC, that governance would not be used against citizens based on political affiliation. At the Ukana meeting, he struck a different tone, telling the elders, “Today, it is not news anymore that Akwa Ibom is APC and APC is Akwa Ibom.”

The meeting included senior party figures such as Don Etiebet, Umana Okon Umana, and Ita Enang. Mr Eno emphasised his alignment with Mr Akpabio’s long-standing push for a more controlled party structure. Speaking directly to the Senate president, he said, “We are here to honour you. You are the one who has taken this party to the national level and held on to it.”

He instructed his aides to either register with the APC or leave government service. “Anybody who doesn’t want to belong to the APC should resign. You cannot serve me and do not belong to the APC,” he said. He also warned that suspicion of disloyalty could be grounds for dismissal: “Anybody who is caught or suspected will be fired.”

Throughout his remarks, the governor repeatedly sought approval from Mr Akpabio for upcoming political activities. He told the elders that political job placements were being compiled and would soon be distributed. “As we get into December and January, the secretary to the state government has compiled political jobs,” he said. “Based on your counsel, it will be given to the political leaders seated here.”

He also asked Mr Akpabio to endorse a planned Christmas meeting at local council headquarters. “Because of how the last APC homecoming was successful, we are planning a Christmas meeting. With your approval and counsel, we want to hold it on 20 December so that Christmas rice will be taken to the local council headquarters for sharing with the villages.”

In closing, the governor urged party elders to help maintain internal cohesion and avoid statements that could escalate grievances among younger members. “All of you seated here have followership,” he said. “When they come to report the governor to you, don’t say the governor is very stingy. If you notice anything wrong, you reach out to me. We can discuss it.”