After months of speculation and hinting, Akwa Ibom State’s Governor Umo Eno has finally announced his defection from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The occasion reportedly took place at the banquet hall of the Government House by 12 noon.
Eno’s defection was planned to be a big event but was made low key due to the Muslim Sallah holiday
On April 29, Eno hinted at a possible defection ahead of the 2027 general election as he likened the PDP to a faulty aircraft.
Breaking the news on Friday in Uyo, the state capital, Eno said the decision followed “three months of wide consultation” with critical stakeholders across the state.
Eno said: “For some time now, the political space, particularly in this state and the nation in general, has been awash with the news of my likely movement from the PDP, the platform that has provided the levers and ladder of my political ascendancy to the position of governor of this state,” .
“This discussion has elicited various areas of analysis in the process. Today, I am here to answer some of those nagging questions. Like the Dalai Lama had said, ‘we should always be open to change, but not to let go of our shared values’.”
Eno said he has submitted a formal resignation letter to the PDP at the ward level, with copies also delivered to the party’s state and national chairmen.
“Earlier this morning, I submitted a formal letter of resignation from the Peoples Democratic Party to the ward chairman. Same copy has been sent to both the state chairman as well as the national chairman,” Eno said.
“I want to thank the Peoples Democratic Party for their support, for their love and for working with me thyis past two years in the affairs of running the state of Akwa Ibom across party lines, but this is a defining moment.”
He explained that his decision followed extensive engagement with political leaders and party stakeholders, culminating in a meeting with top PDP figures on Thursday evening.
“I believe that no one has moved aggressively or has ever changed parties in this state that has consulted as widely as I’ve done,” the Governor added.
“I did that because of the respect I have for all of you — as stakeholders in the project Akwa Ibom. I did that knowing that each and every one of you needed to be consulted, to be informed.
“I needed your counsel, I needed to explain why I am moving, and at this point, that consultation culminated into my meeting with all the critical stakeholders in the PDP last night in this hall, where I took time to explain to all of you the reason why we must move.
“We must be able to interpret the times, and flow with the times, and not run against the tide. Having completed the rounds of my consultation, I have therefore decided to progressively move to the All Progressives Congress.”
