UYO, Nigeria – Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State has called on Nigerians to look beyond political party affiliations and prioritise unity and inclusive governance.
Speaking during a radio interview on Comfort 95.1 FM in Uyo on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, the governor stressed that partisan divisions should not define relationships among citizens.
“Why can’t we be peaceful? Why must political parties separate us? Why must we have issues because my brother is in one party? No, we are all Akwa Ibomites first,” Eno said during the live programme.
The governor described political parties as “vehicles” to attain power and insisted that governance should transcend party boundaries once the mandate is secured.
“I see party as a vehicle to get to power — and when you get there, please begin to govern. Govern everyone, relate with everyone,” he added.
Eno also addressed recent criticism of his analogy involving Ibom Air, the state-owned airline.
The governor had previously compared political parties to airlines, stating that one must be flexible enough to switch carriers if the preferred option develops a fault — a comment widely interpreted as a veiled critique of his party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
“I know every day, now, I say something, people go to town and misinterpret it,” Eno said.
“Yesterday, I made an analogy and they say, ‘Oh, the man is demarketing Ibom Air’. That’s far from it. Ibom Air is the best airline.”
He clarified that his comments were not meant to disparage the airline but rather to illustrate the need for practical decision-making in politics and governance.
“Much as I love Ibom Air… if I arrive at the airport and Ibom Air has a technical fault — which is possible — and I have an appointment in Abuja or Lagos… will I not go?” he asked.
“It’s an analogy. Come on, people know better than this.”
On the state of political ideology in Nigeria, Eno lamented the absence of defined philosophical differences among major parties, unlike the Republican-Democrat divide in the United States.
“I’ve asked the question, and I want you to tell me: What’s the political ideology of this party and that party in this country?” he said. “Everybody keeps going and coming.”
The governor reiterated that his message was one of maturity, post-election reconciliation, and effective governance.
“You have finished the election. We are now in governance. You are sworn into office to be a governor for Akwa Ibom,” he said.
Eno’s remarks come a day after he sparked speculation over a possible defection from the PDP by describing the party as a “faulty aircraft.”
The analogy, made at a constituency event, drew a swift response from the All Progressives Congress (APC).
In a statement, APC National Publicity Secretary Felix Morka welcomed the comments, saying: “We couldn’t agree more that Plane PDP has become demonstrably inoperable and unsafe for travel. We assure Governor Eno that a flight with us will be a mighty good ride to remember.”
