Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has issued a decisive directive to all commissioners and political appointees in his cabinet, instructing them to either defect with him to the All Progressives Congress (APC) or immediately resign from their positions.
This declaration came during a State Executive Council (EXCO) meeting held on Thursday, where the governor formally announced his defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC. Governor Eno reportedly told council members that anyone surprised by his move was “still living in the 18th century.”
According to sources at the meeting, the governor cited his admiration for President Bola Tinubu’s leadership as a key motivation for aligning with the ruling party at the federal level. He emphasized the importance of closer cooperation with the Federal Government and made it clear that his political path was not open to negotiation.
“Apart from elected officials like House of Assembly members and Local Government Chairmen, I have nothing to negotiate with you,” he stated firmly.
Governor Eno also warned against any attempts to leverage the PDP structure to oppose him, asserting he would maintain control over the party machinery even after his defection.
“Let me tell you, anybody who believes that when I leave the PDP he will use the party structure to fight me is lying, because I will still control the PDP structure,” he said.
At the time this report was filed, the EXCO meeting was ongoing, with further updates anticipated.
What you should know
Governor Eno’s defection to the APC and the accompanying ultimatum to his cabinet members reveal a high-stakes political realignment in Akwa Ibom State.
It underscores a growing trend among regional leaders seeking federal alignment under President Tinubu’s administration.
Politically, Eno’s decision raises serious implications for the PDP’s internal cohesion and electoral future in the state. His insistence on retaining control of the PDP structure post-defection is a calculated move to neutralize intra-party resistance.
This bold political maneuver signals not just loyalty to the ruling party but a consolidation of power designed to prevent opposition within both parties ahead of the 2027 elections.
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