Akwa ibom:When You Are Out of Power, You are Powerless, Rest-Shehu Sani Cautions Ex-Gov to Step Back

Former Kaduna Central lawmaker, Senator Shehu Sani, has waded into the escalating political tension in Akwa Ibom State between Governor Umo Eno and his predecessor, former Governor Udom Emmanuel.

In a post on his official X handle on Saturday, October 4, 2025, Sani described the ongoing rift as a “Predecessor versus Successor boxing match,” hinting that the once cordial relationship between the two leaders has now turned into a contest for influence and control.

He urged Udom Emmanuel and his loyalists, whom he referred to as “Team Predecessor,” to tread with caution and avoid unnecessary confrontation with the sitting governor. According to him, the wise path for former leaders is to accept the reality of their exit from power rather than attempt to overshadow their successors.

“When you are out of power, you are powerless; just rest and watch,” the senator wrote. “Or else what you did to others in the past shall be done unto you.”

The remarks are seen as a subtle warning to Emmanuel not to repeat the common mistake of political godfathers who try to dictate the affairs of government after leaving office.

Tensions between Governor Umo Eno and his predecessor have been simmering for months, with reports of disagreements over appointments, contracts, and political structures in the state. Supporters of both leaders have openly clashed on social media and in political gatherings, raising concerns about unity within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Akwa Ibom.

Emmanuel was instrumental in the emergence of Eno as governor in 2023, presenting him as his preferred candidate. However, as is often the case in Nigerian politics, the successor appears determined to assert independence and run the government on his own terms, a move that has unsettled some loyalists of the former governor.

Shehu Sani’s intervention, though brief, has sparked discussions about the transient nature of political power and the recurring cycle of strained relationships between former and current leaders across Nigeria.

The unfolding feud in Akwa Ibom mirrors similar struggles in other states where successors distance themselves from their predecessors, either to consolidate power or to signal a new political direction.