Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom has declared his continued support for President Bola Tinubu despite their different party affiliations.
Eno, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), attributed his backing to Tinubu’s alleged respect for judicial independence.
Speaking at All Nations Christian Ministry International in Eket on Sunday, the governor lauded Tinubu’s perceived non-interference in the recent Supreme Court rulings confirming the governorship elections of various states, including his own.
Recall that the Supreme Court had on Thursday affirmed the election of Mr Eno as the governor of Akwa Ibom State, dismissing the appeals filed by other political parties, including the APC and YPP.
“I will continue to support President Tinubu. Do you know why?” Mr Eno asked the congregants.
“No,” they chorused.
“Because he does not interfere with the judicial process,” the governor said.
“For allowing the process to go on makes me fall in love with him the more. Because if he wanted to take it he would take it. Nothing go shelle,” he said, referring to the Supreme Court ruling that affirmed his election and those of other governors in the country.
“You saw all the states like Plateau, Kano that were upturned and overturned, he allowed the Supreme Court to deliver, and that is leadership. So don’t tell me why are you supporting him.
“But I am in PDP, please don’t get me wrong but I am supporting Mr Tinubu as the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
He further defended his cross-party allegiance, saying Tinubu’s wife, Oluremi, recently donated N25 million to be distributed among 100 elderly individuals in Akwa Ibom.
“So this programme I find out that is good, I now say while the First Lady (his wife) is trying to put together her own pet project let me force this one on her as the first one.
“So every month through the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Welfare, the Office of the First Lady will bring money. She will get 500 elders across the 31 local government (areas) every month.
“You will give them N50, 000 each every month on a condition that one person should not be repeated twice,” a gesture he said is to ensure it goes around.
“He reiterated his commitment to build a centre for the elderly, a social programme he first announced at the Akwa Ibom House of Assembly while presenting the 2024 budget.
The governor said the N50,000 “Support for the elderly” grants will commence in January.
