Uyo, capital of Akwa Ibom, Nigeria’s 21 state is agog over the anticipated defection of Governor Umo Eno’s anticipated defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), Friday, June 6, 2025.
Straightnews can authoritatively say that the Senate President Godswill Akpabio would fly in from Abuja today, while the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Obongemem Ekperikpe Ekpo is in town for the event.
Some state governors and other political heavyweights arrived in Akwa Ibom on Thursday evening ahead of the defection.
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Among those who arrived at the Akwa Ibom Government House in Uyo were His Excellency, Senator Prince Bassey Otu, Governor of Cross River State, and Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State, who also serves as Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum. Other top APC leaders are expected to arrive en masse this morning to receive the governor into the ruling party.
The development has thrown Akwa Ibom’s political permutation into choas, with many PDP stakeholders maintaining a noticeable silence. Sources close to the party say the leadership has been blindsided by the speed and certainty of the defection.
Prominent PDP figures, including party elders, ex-officeholders, and political appointees, have so far withheld public comments, signifying speculation of internal dissatisfaction and quiet resentment.
Last week, Mr. Emmanuel Enoidem, PDP stalwart openly vowed to remain in PDP against the hope that he would join the governor.
It is equally rumoured that immediate past Governor, Udom Emmanuel may remain in the party while Elder Aniekan Akpan, the State PDP Chairman is said may not join Eno in the new boat but remain to pilot the affairs of the party.
Governor Eno’s defection comes amid mounting tension in his political camp. Reports indicate that some aides—including Special Assistants (SAs), Senior Special Assistants (SSAs), and Personal Assistants (PAs)—are unlikely to cross over with him to the APC.
The move is said to have unsettled the PDP’s 2027 election preparations and may complicate long-standing zoning and power rotation arrangements within the state.
This shift has also not gone down well with many local politicians who feel betrayed by the sudden change.
In April 2025, Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori and his predecessor, Ifeanyi Okowa, officially defected from PDP to the ruling APC ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Eno’s defection will further weaken the PDP’s grip nationwide, reducing its control to just 10 states: Adamawa, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Enugu, Osun, Oyo, Plateau, Rivers, Taraba, and Zamfara.
Crowd Rejects Governor’s move
Governor Eno’s declaration to defect from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) was met with loud disapproval from residents during a town hall meeting in Ikot Abasi on Wednesday.
Speaking at the Town Square Meeting with the Ikot Abasi Federal Constituency, Governor Eno told constituents he had completed wide consultations and believed it was time to align the state politically with the APC at the federal level.
“We’re progressively moving forward, linking Akwa Ibom to the center. And I know you’re going with us. Are you going with us, so we can connect to the center?” the governor asked.
His question was met with a thunderous “No!” from the crowd, drowning out the scattered voices of agreement. The response created a moment of visible tension inside the packed venue at the Ikot Abasi Local Government Grounds.
Unfazed by the rejection, Governor Eno pressed on with his argument, emphasizing the need for Akwa Ibom to “belong and be counted” in national politics and to back President Bola Tinubu and Senate President Godswill Akpabio as preparations for the 2027 elections begin.
“We thank you for your support. I’ve gone round to consult… And so we have done enough consultation. The time has come that we will move. And we will go to where God is leading us,” he said.
He urged the people not to be fearful, adding: “Do not be afraid. Believe in us. Believe in President Bola Tinubu because the future is bright. We are already a minority state in Nigeria. If we come again and start breaking ourselves into pieces, we become minority of the minorities and cannot get anything.”
The governor called for unity beyond party affiliations and declared that the trio of Tinubu, Akpabio, and himself must return to office in 2027.
Governor Eno’s remarks represent a potentially major political shift in Akwa Ibom’s landscape, but the crowd’s vocal rejection underscores deep-rooted resistance that could complicate any realignment plans.
