Akwa Ibom govt, PDP deny celebrating Atiku over Tinubu’s CSU certificate

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Akwa Ibom State and Mr Ekerete Udoh, the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Umo Eno, have dismissed reports that the governor lauded Atiku Abubakar for his role in the fake certificate saga of President Bola Tinubu at the Chicago State University.

It had been speculated on social media that Governor Eno, during the PDP stakeholders meeting in the state on Tuesday, celebrated Atiku’s efforts in exposing Tinubu’s alleged fake certificate.

But PDP, in a statement by its Publicity Secretary, Borono Bassey, said the rumour is a malicious intent to drag Eno and the party into a matter that is undergoing the processes of law.

He noted that the matter was sub judice and neither the governor nor the PDP at the state level is competent to comment on it.

He added that since the governor is not a party on record in the suit, he would only await the court’s judgement, stressing that “he will join in the usual respectful and deferential chorus of ‘As the court pleases!!’”

On his part, Udoh insisted that the governor remained bipartisan saying the report was aimed at smearing the warm relationship that exists between President Tinubu, whom he described as the father of the nation, and his principal.

While challenging the writers to provide video evidence of where the governor made such remarks, the CPS insisted, “At no time, at the PDP Stakeholders’ meeting that took place yesterday, was any such issue as maliciously reported by the faceless reporter, ever tabled or discussed. We challenge the writer to provide recorded evidence of such discussions.

“We wish to reiterate the fact that, His Excellency, Pastor Umo Eno, as a pastor does not engage in small talks. He respects constituted authority, and as a bridge- builder, who has worked across party lines since he was sworn in, would never engage in such partisan glib talks.”