THE Akwa Ibom State Government has dismissed reports alleging that Governor Umo Eno ordered the withdrawal of security personnel attached to his predecessor, Udom Emmanuel.
At a press briefing in Uyo yesterday, the Commissioner for Information, Aniekan Umanah, described the reports as false and misleading, stressing that the governor has no authority over police deployment or withdrawal.
“The deployment, reassignment, or withdrawal of police officers is the exclusive responsibility of the Inspector-General of Police and the Commissioner of Police in each state, not the duty of any governor,” Umanah said.
“I can tell you on good authority that Governor Umo Eno did not issue any directive to withdraw security operatives from the immediate past governor.”
Umanah further clarified that all former governors of Akwa Ibom continue to enjoy the level of security protection legally granted to them.
“To the best of our knowledge, there has been no complaint or report from any former governor or their aides about the withdrawal of security personnel. The rumour exists only in the imagination of those peddling it,” he added.
He urged the public to disregard what he called “baseless propaganda,” emphasizing that Governor Eno remains committed to peace, unity, and good governance across the state.
While Udom Emmanuel, a key figure in Eno’s emergence as governor under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2023, was once regarded as his political mentor, speculations of a rift between the two have grown in recent months — particularly following reports of Eno’s alleged defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC).