Akwa Ibom State Governor Umo Eno has officially defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), declaring that professing loyalty to President Bola Tinubu while remaining in an opposition party would be an aberration.

The governor made this declaration during his official defection ceremony held at the Government House on Friday, June 6, 2025, ending months of speculation about his political future.

Why Governor Eno Joined APC

During his address, Governor Eno emphasized that his decision came after extensive consultations with stakeholders across the state. He noted that "the only constant thing is change" and that he would not support the president from a distance.

"I can't be visiting the president in the night and be saying something else in the day. That's why I've decided to join the train of the president, to support him so I will not be accused of anti-party," Eno stated.

The governor, who was elected under the PDP platform—a party that has governed Akwa Ibom since 1999—described his move as coming "from a position of strength, not weakness." He assured that his administration would remain inclusive regardless of party affiliations.

Support from APC Leadership

The defection ceremony was attended by several APC governors from Edo, Ogun, Ondo, Ekiti, Cross River, Ebonyi, Lagos, Delta, and Imo States. Senate President Godswill Akpabio, represented by his wife Ekaete Unoma, welcomed Eno to the party.

In her goodwill message, Mrs. Akpabio warned the governor to expect criticism but reassured him of support from the presidency and the Senate President. "Your excellency, they will malign you and abuse you that you will be surprised, but because God is with you, fear no one," she said.

Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State, speaking on behalf of other APC governors, noted that President Tinubu's "new trajectory of socio-economic development" continues to attract many to the party.

Implications for Akwa Ibom Politics

Governor Eno expressed confidence that his defection would strengthen the APC in Akwa Ibom and create a stronger link between the state and the federal government. He called on APC members who had left the party to return, saying, "Let us shield our differences as we begin to renew and build together and ensure we return our president in 2027."

The governor also demanded total loyalty from his appointees, whom he described as his "first 11," stating that their loyalty is non-negotiable in this new political direction.

However, not all state officials appear to be following the governor's move. Reports indicate that the Akwa Ibom Commissioner for Information has resigned from his position, refusing to abandon the PDP for the APC.

This defection marks a significant shift in Akwa Ibom's political landscape, potentially altering the balance of power in a state traditionally considered a PDP stronghold.

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