Akwa Ibom Governor Under Fire For Awarding SUVs To Former Deputy Governors

Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has come under intense public scrutiny after reportedly presenting brand-new Land Cruiser SUVs to all former deputy governors of the state. The governor made the announcement on Thursday night via his official social media page, sharing photos of the vehicles and their recipients.

In his post, Governor Eno described the gesture as a token of appreciation for the former officials’ years of service and sacrifice. He wrote, “I presented brand new Land Cruisers to all former Deputy Governors of Akwa Ibom State as a token of appreciation for their years of service and sacrifice. Their dedication has helped shape our State’s progress, and it’s only fitting they enjoy comfort as they continue to share their wisdom with us. Thank you for your service!”

The announcement quickly ignited mixed reactions online, with many citizens questioning the appropriateness of the gifts given the state’s economic realities. Some social media users expressed frustration that retired civil servants, who served decades in public service, often face delays in receiving their pensions, while former deputy governors received luxury vehicles. Others criticized the move as a misallocation of public funds that could have been directed to infrastructure, social welfare, and job creation initiatives.

Several reactions highlighted public discontent: one user asked whether the gesture improved the lives of ordinary citizens, while another described it as “absolutely nonsense,” pointing out that former deputy governors already receive pensions and had access to project allocations during their tenure. Calls for accountability and redirection of funds to benefit the wider populace were also prominent among critics, who urged that such expenditures prioritize critical state needs over luxury gifts for political elites.