Umo Eno: Political parties in Nigeria lack ideology — they’re vehicles to power

Umo Eno, governor of Akwa Ibom, says political parties should not be the reason for division among people.

Speaking on Comfort 95.1 FM in Uyo on Wednesday, Eno said it is time Nigerians moved past partisan conflicts.

“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,” he said.

The governor described political parties as mere vehicles to attain power, saying governance should be inclusive 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 said.

Eno lamented what he called the growing culture of misinterpretation, citing a recent controversy about his comments on Ibom Air.

“I know every day, now, I say something, people go to town and misinterpret it. 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 said.

“I’m saying that much as I love Ibom Air — it is our airline, it’s a preferred airline. Much as I love it and have it as a state government, 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, maybe to deliver a talk or meet investors, and there’s an alternative airline… will I not go?

“Will I say, because this is my airline and it is owned by the state government? So when people say, ‘Oh, he was demarketing Ibom Air…’ No! It’s an analogy. Come on, people know better than this.”

Eno reiterated his position that Akwa Ibom people must remain united regardless of party affiliations.

“For me, what I’m saying is that Akwa Ibom is one, political parties are vehicles,” he said.

He said Nigerian politics lacks defined ideological boundaries, unlike in developed democracies.

“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 asked.

“We’re not like the Americans who say, ‘This is the ideology of the Democrats and this is the ideology of the Republicans.’ Everybody keeps going and coming, keeps going and coming.”

Eno said his message was one of unity and maturity, regardless of the platform anyone belongs to.

“Whatever thing I’m doing, I’m saying let us be one. Whether it is any party, any party platform,” he said.

“You have finished the election. We are now in governance. You are sworn into office to be a governor for Akwa Ibom.”

On Tuesday, Eno hinted at a possible defection ahead of the 2027 general election.

He likened the PDP to a faulty aircraft, adding that the party is now fragmented and risks grinding to a halt before the 2027 elections.

In response, Felix Morka, national publicity secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC) said the ruling party welcomes the governor’s remarks and agrees with his assessment of the PDP.

“We couldn’t agree more that Plane PDP has become demonstrably inoperable and unsafe for travel,” the APC spokesperson said in a statement.

“We assure Governor Eno that a flight with us will be a mighty good ride to remember.”