Gov. Eno denies naming daughter as Akwa Ibom First Lady after wife's death.
Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State has denied allegations that his first daughter, Mrs. Helen Obareki, was selected as the state's First Lady.
He clarified that his daughter was appointed as the Coordinator of the First Lady's Office, as he informed Senator Oluremi Tinubu during her condolence visit.
Speaking at the All Nations Christian Ministry International in Eket on Sunday, the governor said that his decision was a natural one, not prompted by political concerns.
He stated that first women are not appointed. However, once his wife died, it was natural and comfortable for his daughter, who had been her mother's closest aide, to oversee and implement the office's initiatives.
He stated that his late wife's pet project, Golden Initiative for All (GIFA), will be prioritized, as well as other support initiatives for women, the aged, the vulnerable, and the underprivileged. He went on to say that Mrs. Obareki's experience, exposure, education, and access allowed these initiatives to continue solely with her as coordinator.
He stated, "Appointing our daughter, who had worked closely with her late mother, as the coordinator is not an appointment as First Lady. You don't designate a First Lady. The First Lady's Office has responsibilities to the women of our state, and my wife was in charge of several programs, including the GIFA, senior support, and other initiatives.
"As long as I am governor, those programs will not die. There must be a coordinator, and it must be someone I see every day, someone who can go into my room and brief me, not someone far away."
Governor Eno went on to say that his daughter will be addressed as the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor and Coordinator, Office of the First Lady, and that this decision was one method for him to offer healing to the family while also comforting himself.
While thanking the President's wife, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, and her entourage, the governor also praised the church for their comforting words and advised them to seek peace in God's word.
