In an interview with Arise TV, Eno explained that Emmanuel approached him with the conviction that he had what it takes to govern. “My political godfather, Gabriel Emmanuel, told me, ‘I believe you will make a good governor. I want you to contest.’ He saw something in me that I didn’t see in myself, and for that, I will always be grateful,” Eno said.
He recalled a particular night when Emmanuel invited him for a private discussion, during which his wife, who accompanied him, openly resisted the idea. “My wife immediately went down on her knees and pleaded, ‘Sir, please leave my husband alone.’ Then she turned to me and said in Yoruba, ‘Who has ever been a governor in your family? Every day, people insult governors. I don’t want them to insult my husband. Please don’t do this,’” Eno narrated.
Despite her emotional plea, Emmanuel laughed and reassured them, insisting that Eno was destined to lead. “He laughed and said, ‘But he has the qualities. He will be a governor, and he’ll be a good one,’” the governor recounted.
Eno further revealed that Emmanuel described the decision as divinely guided, telling him that God had already confirmed his future as governor. “That’s how I came into politics. He gave me the platform, and I will always thank him for it,” Eno concluded.
The governor’s story highlights the mix of family concerns, mentorship, and faith that shaped his path into public service, reflecting how personal conviction and external encouragement often intersect in Nigerian politics.