If the choice of Pastor Umo Bassey Eno by Akwa Ibom people as their governor in 2023 is widely seen as a delicious cake with the ingredients of peace and prosperity, then the icing on the cake has come with the well thought out choice of Senator Dr Akon Eyakenyi as the running mate and potential deputy governor of Akwa Ibom State.

Senator Eyakenyi stands out as one leader Akwa Ibom State has tested in different capacities, across administrations. In all her stations of life, she has added verifiable value to the growth and development of the society, diligently climbing the rungs of leadership and administration with distinction and creativity.

This is what Akwa Ibom State deserves, and this is what Akwa Ibom State has got as the leadership to Pastor Umo Eno. It is a perfect blend of experience, management skills, goodwill and passion for the continuous development of the state.
Her bag of experience is thick and loveably intimidating. She set sail from the harbour as a teacher where she was trained at the Teacher's Training College, Oron and stunningly rose to the pinnacle of professional, academic and political careers.
A stickler for knowledge and excellence, she has mopped all available knowledge with a thirsty sponge climaxing in the University of Cross River State and later University of Uyo where she earned the prestigious doctoral degree.
She has occupied various political appointments where one excellent performance preceded and gave rise to the other. That topnotch leadership performance beautifully hunted her, as the saying goes, the reward for hardwork is more work.
She was Member in the State Secondary Education Board, and was later appointed Honourable Commissioner, Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Tourism. She did exceedingly well. At different points, she became Chairman, Technical Schools Board, Chairman, Governing Council, Akwa Ibom State Polytechnic which was preceded by a golden performance as a minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
If those were appointments, she was later to contest and defeat an incumbent as the Senator Representing Akwa Ibom South Senatorial District, an office she will complete in June, 2023.
At least, four civilian administrations in Akwa Ibom State have engaged the services of Dr Eyakenyi, and she has never been found wanting.
Such is the luggage of experience the grassroots politician, mobilizer, philanthropist and above all political stabilizer is bringing in as the Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom State upon swearing in in 2023. She is vast in civil and public service and will complement the magic of private sector experience of her boss, Pastor Umo Eno when they eventually assume office.

Her choice as the Deputy Governor also underscores the gender balance praxis as operated in Akwa Ibom State. The women has a worthy ambassador in her as the number two citizen of Akwa Ibom State, which shows clearly that the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP is exceptional in gender balance. This is also a box ticked right in the equity question of the tripod upon which Akwa Ibom State stands. It is not just that she is from Eket Senatorial District but specifically from the Oro nation. Welcome on board, the best choice for Akwa Ibom State. Umo/Akon ticket means more than an election for Akwa Ibom State. It is raising a banner of peace and prosperity without blemish.

Source: Imo Etimudo