Official Jet Not Under Ex-Gov Udom’s Custody, Akwa Ibom Govt Says

Mr. Essien Ndueso, Senior Special Assistant to the Akwa Ibom State Governor on Research and Documentation, has denied rumors that the outgoing governor, Udom Emmanuel, was still in possession of the governor’s official jet.

After recently boarding an Ibom Air passenger flight from Uyo to Abuja and submitting himself to security inspection at the Ibom International Airport, the state governor, Pastor Umo Éno, reportedly faced criticism.

His detractors had claimed that he had to use Ibom Air because the outgoing governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel, was still using the official private jet of the office.

Ndueso, however, claimed that the governor’s choice to support the state-owned airline was consistent with his pledge to encourage Akwa Ibom State Government investments to thrive and expand in order to meet the demands of the current economic realities in the country. The radio interview was heard by our correspondent in Uyo on Friday.

 “Remember, His Excellency, Pastor Eno, said he is not a governor who sits in his comfort zone in the office to receive reports from the fields, but one who will go out to feel and experience the realities of investments and public utilities funded with public funds

“The governor has told his people that in appointing aides, he is not appointing aides that would carry his umbrella and phones since he is carrying them himself, but he would rather appoint people with the capacity to add value to his administration.

“Even at the airport, you could see him subjecting himself to thorough checks and other airport procedures, and that is because he wishes to lead by example. Such actions should not be misinterpreted, but seen as actions that make him more connected to his people,” Nduese said

The governor’s aide referred to the allegation as a frivolous “beer parlour gist” intended to damage the former governor’s reputation and said it was unfortunate that his principal’s good intentions in having first-hand experience with the state airline were misinterpreted. He urged the populace to disregard such claims because they contained absolutely no truth.

The current governor’s former boss and immediate predecessor, Emmanuel, had not been overbearing toward his successor, according to the speaker, who even went so far as to say during the state dialogue that only one leader could be in charge of the state at any given time—Governor Eno.

 “Recall that Mr. Udom Emmanuel was the one who told everyone to support the governor as the new leader of the state. Others would be coming to the Government House every day, or even lodging in the Government House Guest House, but the immediate past governor has kept his promise by returning to his private practice, allowing His Excellency, the incumbent governor, to freely run the business of government,” he said.