Umo Eno Warns Groups Against Ethnic Tension in Akwa Ibom, Threatens Disbandment

Akwa Ibom State Governor Umo Eno has warned socio-cultural groups and other stakeholders against using their platforms to promote ethnic tension, rivalry or division in the state, threatening to disband any group that ignores the warning.

Eno issued the warning during a special interdenominational service marking the 39th anniversary of Akwa Ibom State’s creation. He said protecting the state’s peace remained a priority and warned against actions capable of creating division among residents.

The governor said political, ethnic and religious differences should not become reasons for hostility, urging residents to maintain unity despite their differences.

“Political differences must never become personal hatred, ethnic differences must never become division, and religious differences must never become hostility.”

Eno also urged political actors to separate political competition from personal relationships, saying people could belong to different parties while remaining committed to the same state.

“We may disagree and still love one another. We may belong to different political parties and still belong to one Akwa Ibom; because when the politics is over, Akwa Ibom would remain.”

The governor also addressed claims that he had reported his predecessor to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Eno said he had not reported anyone to the anti-graft agency since assuming office and urged political actors to focus on issues affecting the state’s future rather than inflammatory rhetoric.

“I want to say on this altar of the living God that since I got into governance, I have not reported one soul to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, not one and I don’t intend to do so because there is nothing to report.”

His comments come as political activity increases ahead of the 2027 general elections. Eno has previously called on Akwa Ibom stakeholders to avoid inflammatory rhetoric and keep political disagreements from threatening the state’s peace.

Speaking at the service, the state chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Bishop Christian Nyong, also called for peaceful political engagement. He urged residents to follow Christian teachings on peace and respect the rules as the 2027 elections approach.