“Still Living in Bondage” — Gov Umo Eno Hits Back at Kenneth Okonkwo for Describing Him as a ‘Political Transgender’

Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has fired back at Nollywood actor and politician Kenneth Okonkwo, following Okonkwo’s controversial description of him as a “political transgender” during an interview on Arise TV.

Okonkwo, a former Labour Party spokesperson and veteran actor known for his breakout role in *Living in Bondage*, had harshly criticized Governor Eno for defecting from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC). In his tirade, Okonkwo accused the governor of lacking political principles and likened his defection to gender confusion—calling him a “political transgender” and making remarks many have condemned as offensive and misogynistic.

“Can you imagine a whole governor coming out to say, ‘I can’t fight like Wike ooo! 2027, I want a smooth sail. I still love PDP’. That is transgenderic,” Okonkwo said. “He behaves like a man but has the genitals of a woman. He is just a political transgender.”

Governor Eno, without directly naming Okonkwo, issued a biting rebuttal during a public appearance, mocking the actor’s career trajectory and political relevance.

“They’ve tried everything—they’ve tried to become an actor, they failed. They’re still living in bondage, trying to put their mouth in what doesn’t concern them,” Eno said, in a sharp nod to Okonkwo’s most famous film. “He is an attempted politician…an attempted lawyer. He has never moved a motion before.”

The heated exchange has triggered wide debate across social media, with many commentators urging restraint from public figures and calling for political discourse to remain respectful—even amid disagreement.

Governor Eno’s defection continues to generate reactions, but the governor maintains that his decision was based on a desire for “peaceful governance” ahead of the 2027 general elections.