Never in the history of Akwa Ibom State has a governorship aspirant been so enmeshed in controversy as the clergyman cum politician, Pastor Umo Bassey Eno, the governorship candidate of the People's Democratic Party (PDP). It has been one controversy after another since his name was first mentioned in connection with the coming governorship election in the state.

Firstly, not a few people questioned the credibility of the " divine revelation" which was the basis for his choice as the Governor's preferred aspirant. Again, quite a number of party members questioned the credibility of the PDP governorship primary from which he emerged as the PDP Governorship Candidate. As if that was not enough, endless questions are now been asked of the credibility of not just his contentious and highly controversial WAEC certificate, but also his entire educational background. As a matter of fact, the genuineness of Pastor Umo Eno's WAEC certificate is now a subject of litigation in the law court. There is also rumour that University of Uyo may strip the clergyman of the degree it awarded him. This is very sad.

To be honest, I sometimes feel very genuine sympathy for the once respected clergyman. In fairness to Pastor Umo Eno, I believe the man was well aware of his dubious academic background and therefore managed to stay away from the public eye. Before his advent into politics, Pastor Umo Eno had remained relatively unknown to Akwaibomites and appeared quite content with his hotel business, and would probably have continued to remain so till now. Unfortunately, the Governor, in his wisdom, decided that Pastor Umo Eno was the right person to be appointed a Commissioner.

Interestingly, and perhaps to prevent attracting unnecessary scrutiny to himself and also deflect attention from his dubious academic background, Pastor Umo Eno, after been appointment a Commissioner in the state, managed to remain one of the least talked about Commissioners. A more discerning eyes would have noticed that there was something amiss with the man. He appeared to be very content with doing his job and getting paid his his salary, and apparently cared nothing about seeking a higher political office. Infact, there may have been many who believed the clergyman was missing the pulpit and his hotel business and was anxious to return to them .

But unfortunately, the Governor decided to receive a "divine revelation".

I am inclined to believe that Pastor Umo Eno had little or no say in the Governor's decision to anoint him as his successor, because if he did, I am sure he would have warned the Governor about the dangers of taking such terrible decision. To be honest, Pastor Umo Eno did try to warn the Governor, PDP and Akwa Ibom people about his dubious academic background when he told party faithfuls in one of their meetings that he was the least qualified among all the aspirants in the race. Even so, it appears the clergyman was being economical with the truth. He ought to have been more honest and say that he was not qualified at all, and not that he was the least qualified.

Akwa Ibom State cannot afford to be governed by someone who lacks credibility. This state is named after God Almighty (Akwa Abasi Ibom ) and cannot not be handed over to someone with a dubious and questionable academic background. It is now crystal clear that the so-called "divine revelation" did not come from God as God is holy and without blemish, and cannot be associated with craftiness and deceit. It is ironic that the dramatis personae of this most unholy act is a supposed clergyman. Akwa Ibom people are warned to look more carefully at the character of people who want to govern them. To be forewarned is to be forearmed. He who comes to equity must come with clean hands. The clergyman's hands are not only unclean but also contagious. We must avoid them at all costs!