Akwa Ibom State governor Umo Eno has opened up about the ridicule and rejection he endured over his albinism during the 2023 gubernatorial campaign.
In a video shared on X, Eno recounted how opponents weaponised his skin condition against him on the campaign trail, describing it as a deeply personal challenge. He also used the moment to celebrate children living with albinism, calling them “golden people.”
“Albinos are a golden people, and they have a golden governor,” Eno said. “When we started this campaign, some people who did not have what to say said they did not want an albino governor. Do you remember? Then my dear wife came out and said to them, you may be an albino, but to me, you are my golden boy.”
The governor lamented how people with albinism have long faced stigma, name-calling, and exclusion. “They will not give us a chance in the past. They will body shame us. They will call us names. They will not let us come to the public. But today, God has brought us out. So anywhere I see one of any of them, I must recognise them,” he said.
Reflecting on his own childhood, Eno shared that living with albinism meant enduring bullying and body shaming. “Growing up with albinism wasn’t easy; I faced bullying, body shaming, and rejection. But today, by God’s grace, I stand proudly. That’s why whenever I see anyone with this skin condition, I make it a point to honour and recognise them.”
