Eno wrong on aspirants living in rented apartments — Activist

By Uko Etim

UYO — A political activist and public affairs analyst, Dr. Tom FredFish, has criticised Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, over comments suggesting that governorship aspirants living in rented apartments are not qualified to govern the state.

FredFish, in a statement issued on Sunday in Uyo, described the governor’s remarks as a distortion of democratic principles and constitutional requirements for public office.

The activist was reacting to comments allegedly made by the governor during a media parley marking the third anniversary of his administration, where he reportedly questioned the suitability of aspirants residing in rented accommodation to govern the state.

According to FredFish, leadership qualification should not be measured by ownership of property.

“According to the latest political theory emerging from Government House, the primary qualification for governing Akwa Ibom State is owning a house,” he said.

“In one stroke, centuries of democratic philosophy have been swept aside and replaced with a simpler test: show us your Certificate of Occupancy before showing us your manifesto.”

He argued that the position was inconsistent with democratic norms and the provisions of the 1999 Constitution, which stipulate age, education and citizenship requirements for elective office, rather than ownership of real estate.

“If house ownership is the new measure of leadership, then every successful landlord automatically becomes a statesman.

“History has shown that some wealthy individuals governed poorly, while people of modest means transformed societies. The electorate judges candidates on broader standards than property ownership,” he stated.

FredFish also criticised another remark attributed to the governor that “everything some aspirants touch dies,” describing it as a claim that raises serious questions and should be subjected to scrutiny.

He maintained that public office should be viewed as a responsibility entrusted to individuals by the electorate rather than a reward for personal wealth or material success.

“While there is nothing wrong with celebrating personal achievements, democracy has traditionally maintained that public office is not a reward for wealth. It is a responsibility entrusted by the people,” he said.

The activist added that until the Constitution is amended, aspirants would continue to present their ideas, policies and programmes to voters regardless of their housing status.

“After all, democracy, unlike real estate, is not measured in square metres,” he added.

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