By Divine Sam.
Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has fired back at veteran Nollywood actor and lawyer, Kenneth Okonkwo, following the latter’s recent criticism over Eno’s political defection.
Okonkwo, now a member of the Labour Party, had in a televised interview referred to Governor Eno as a “transgenderic politician”—a term widely criticized as offensive and inflammatory. The comment was made in response to Eno’s move from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
In a no-holds-barred response, Governor Eno dismissed Okonkwo’s criticism, questioning his credibility and ridiculing his professional track record.
“Some of these people aren’t even from Akwa Ibom. They’ve tried acting, they’ve failed. They’ve tried politics, they ran away. They’ve tried law, but they’ve never even moved a motion in court. They’re still living in bondage,” Eno said, alluding to Okonkwo’s breakout role in the classic 1992 Nollywood film Living in Bondage.
Governor Eno continued, “He should go to his own state and fight there. He’s not welcome in Akwa Ibom. This is our internal matter and I have the constitutional right to associate with any party.”
He also mocked Okonkwo’s political ambitions, labeling him an “attempted politician” whose public commentary carries no weight in the affairs of Akwa Ibom.
Ending his remarks with a colloquial touch, Eno said in Pidgin: “As the person in the driver’s seat today, I dey hold the steering, and I know where go-slow no go dey.”
The exchange has sparked widespread debate online, with many Nigerians weighing in on the clash between the actor-turned-politician and the state governor.
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