Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, has declared that he is intentionally managing public funds with caution to avoid being summoned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) after his tenure.
Speaking during a media parley to mark his second year in office, Governor Eno stressed that no amount of pressure would push him into reckless spending that could jeopardise his post-office freedom.
He said, “When you see former governors go to EFCC when they finish, we are the people that drive them to it and no one will drive me to it. I will do what I can do within the law, what I cannot do I will stay away. Now which account, which budget do I have to pull money to groups?”
Governor Eno criticised some citizens for demanding handouts, saying their sense of entitlement often pushes leaders into financial misconduct.
“Unfortunately, we have come to a point where everybody believes that they have sense of entitlement, that the government must do this, government must give them that,” he said.
Citing a recent instance, Eno recounted how some individuals who claimed to be his support group threatened to protest for not being compensated after the election.
“They say they supported me for good governance and I am trying my best to provide good governance yet they want me to give them money. Where will I have money to give to support groups?” he asked.
Reaffirming his financial discipline, he stated, “When I became governor, I told the Akwa Ibom people that we would have a sinking fund. And so every month we have money we don’t spend. I am not very good at throwing money around, even my immediate family will tell you that.”
He emphasised that every naira must be accounted for, adding, “Money must pursue something. Money is an exchange for value received and I believe I must do everything in line with the original intent of money.”**
The governor also debunked media reports alleging that the state received N650 billion in three months. According to him, the misleading publication sparked tension among neighbouring states.
“You cannot take balance carried forward which is clearly shown in the publication and they show you three months revenue as added up and you now come up with a headline saying that Akwa Ibom receives N650 billion in three months. That’s not good reporting,” he noted.
He warned that such misinformation had exposed the state to regional hostility.
“Then you go to the Governors’ Forum and people say Akwa Ibom and your neighbouring states say Akwa Ibom is holding their oil wells. And you have thrown Akwa Ibom in harm’s way just by that false reporting,” he said.
Governor Eno revealed that the backlash has led to multiple visits to the presidency to clarify the situation, adding that states like Cross River and Rivers are now agitating for control of oil wells from Akwa Ibom.
Despite these challenges, he thanked President Bola Tinubu for his administration’s financial support, noting that it has enabled the execution of impactful development projects across the state.
