Human rights lawyer, Inibehe Effiong, has criticized the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Umo Eno, accusing him of displaying a lavish lifestyle while many residents of the state continue to grapple with unemployment, poverty and poor educational infrastructure.
In a strongly worded statement that has stirred reactions online, Effiong alleged that while ordinary citizens struggle with economic hardship, political campaigners are often given minimal incentives such as rice for women, N50,000 stipends for youths, and branded T-shirts and drinks for supporters during political activities.
According to the lawyer, such gestures contrast sharply with what he described as the governor’s display of luxury, including allegedly wearing shoes worth millions of naira.
Effiong lamented that despite being one of Nigeria’s oil-producing states, Akwa Ibom State continues to face serious socio-economic challenges, including dilapidated schools, rising unemployment and a large number of out-of-school children.
He claimed that the state currently has hundreds of thousands of children outside the school system and described the situation as “an embarrassing level of poverty” for a state with significant resources.
The lawyer further alleged that within the first few months of assuming office, Governor Umo Eno began and completed a personal mansion in Ewet Housing Estate, one of the most exclusive and expensive residential areas in the state capital, Uyo.
Effiong accused the governor of continuing what he described as an “ostentatious lifestyle” similar to that of some previous administrations, alleging that public resources were being recklessly spent while pressing developmental challenges remain unresolved.
He also criticized what he described as a culture of excessive praise by some supporters of the administration, particularly over the governor’s fashion and dressing style.
“I see people praising him for his outstanding dressing and fashion sense. That is what you get when people transition from citizens to slaves,” Effiong said in his remarks.
The lawyer argued that meaningful change in the state would only come when citizens begin to ask critical questions and demand accountability from political leaders.
“The madness in Akwa Ibom cannot be cured through prayers and fasting. When people don’t ask critical questions, politicians get away with murder,” he added.
As of the time of filing this report, the office of Governor Umo Eno has not publicly responded to the allegations raised by Effiong.
The comments have since sparked debate on social media, with some residents supporting the lawyer’s position while others defended the governor’s leadership and development agenda in Akwa Ibom State.
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