By Samuel Abasiekong-Abasiekong
A ‘New Political Order’ that will reshape the crooked political landscape of Nigeria is been promulgated from Akwa Ibom State Hilltop Mansion, maned by His Excellency Pastor Umo Bassey Eno.
While this ‘Order’ has hitherto been test-run in Akwa Ibom State, and adjudged to be apt, Governor Eno considered it necessary to be recommended for the whole country from April 15, 2025 where the buy-in is already impressive in many states of the Federation.
The ‘New Order’ which seems to be the political ideology of Governor Eno in governance and in politics which his Chief Press Secretary Mr Ekerette Udoh, always describes as “Akwa Ibom Exceptionalism” is the new Political Order which the Clergyman turned politician wants Nigeria to adopt in all political engagements.
By “Akwa Ibom Exceptionalism”, the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Eno means, Akwa Ibom State does its things differently with intent and purpose to be a model state in Nigeria or lead for others to follow in all human endeavours and politics inclusive.
The “Akwa Ibom Exceptionalism” is verifiable and seen in the State government deployment of an enabling environment as the only state in Nigeria with near zero crime rate, no participation in militancy/terrorism, home of utmost hospitality, the cleanest State in Nigeria, the safest destination for tourists, a choice place for multiple Annual General Meetings (AGM) of various organizations almost on daily basis.
Having extended this ambiance into politics, Governor Eno has demolished the brick wall of political partisanship in Akwa Ibom State and have fraternised all members of opposition parties and the ruling party and have assembled them into one fold, one family, one ambition and one goal.
Obviously in Akwa Ibom State, there is no opposition party and no ruling party, no foe, but one people with one political ideology in one State.
This makes Akwa Ibom State completely exceptional and positively different in all its political drives.
Political parties in the spirit of Akwa Ibom exceptionalism is a virtual elevation where one stands to grab political power and should be dismantled immediately after electioneering
to let brotherhood continues without restrain.
HE. Pastor Eno wants this same ideology adopted by Nigerian in all political struggles for power within the country.
Thanks goodness, Nigeria is no more militarised but administered democratically by a civil rule where the like of Pastor Umo Eno can fit in.
Where the military is no more in charge of governance in Nigeria, it does appear that the word “Opposition” or “Opposition Parties” is annoying and provocative for Pastor Eno, and at such, it shouldn’t exit nor been mentioned any further in Nigeria politics.
Hence just like Akwa Ibom State where there is no opposition party, no ruling party, no foe but one state, same should be applied in all states of the Federation.
In Akwa Ibom State Pastor Eno has completely erase the bold line of opposition which existed afore time and reconciled near political devils to himself and made them useful for themselves and everyone.
Thus, for the forthcoming 2027 general election, Governor Eno’s quick endorsement of incumbent President Bola Hamed Tinubu which is devoid of politics, is rather conceived with intent and purpose to reconcile all Nigerian to one another to have one Nigeria indeed.
Charles de Gaulle, a French army officer, statesman, and leader of the Free French Forces during World War II, who played a key role in shaping France’s Fourth Republic, a strong advocate for French Nationalism and Independence. A key actor in the shaping of the European Economic Community (EEC) which is today the European Union (EU).
And De Gaulle whose leadership and vision had a profound impact on France and Europe, as his legacies continue to influence France politics and identity, once said: “Politics is too serious a matter to be left to the politicians”
Unarguably, just like Charles De Gaulle said, Pastor Eno entrance into Nigeria Politics is to change its narrative by letting politicians see that politics is indeed too serious a matter which personal interest of politicians shouldn’t be allowed to becloud the interest of the country.
And serious matters such as politics in a democratic dispensation cannot not thrive in chaos and discord if politicians intend to deliver the dividend of democracy to the people as they profess.
Thus, Governor Eno endorsement of Tinubu for the forthcoming 2027 presidential election is an endorsement for equity and principle of zoning to each political zone of the country for the purpose of the dividend of democracy to gets to all.
And where this same principle has previously been applied for one, it should be applied for others as well.
That is Pastor Umo Eno ideology in politics. That is Governor Eno expectation of true politics of inclusiveness, which all governors of his ‘opposition party’ the People Democratic Party – PDP have now seen reasons to buy in for 2027 presidential election.
On the whole, Governor Eno exceptional style in politics of no opposition, no party divided, no foe test run in Akwa Ibom State and adjudged to be apt as seen in the tranquility, serenity of the state and safety of the people, I have no doubt that as other governors are buying in into “Akwa Ibom exceptionalism” style in politics to return Tinubu in 2027, they are proven indicators that this ideology of politics of inclusiveness which promotes an equitable distribution of the dividend of democracy to all zones of the country will not be maintained when another zone is due to produce the next president of Nigeria.
Certainly it will be maintained after 2031 for another zone, because it paid off.
