Akwa Ibom State Government has sent away Channels TV crew—a journalist and a cameraman—from the Government House Press Corp, Uyo, over the leakage of a video clip in which Governor Umo Eno confirmed his planned defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
At Government House State Executive Council’s meeting to review the status of the administration’s numerous projects, Mr Eno used the opportunity to bared his mind about his planned defection.
Eno told his cabinet members to prepare their resignation letters if they were unwilling to defect with him to the APC.
“We want our commissioners and members of Exco, appointees, and those of you who are saying that you would not come, you are free absolutely not to join me, but you won’t be in my State Executive Council.
“Prepare to resign the day I announced that I am moving because you cannot; you are an appointee, and your loyalty is fully to me. You can’t be in my cabinet and play anti-party. It is what it is,” the governor said.
The governor’s defection is said to be scheduled for June 6.
Mr Eno said the PDP leadership crisis, particularly the office of the party’s national secretary, which is plagued by protracted litigation, was responsible for his imminent defection.
The governor vowed never to relinquish the PDP structure in Akwa Ibom, which may pitch him against his predecessor, Udom Emmanuel, whom, we learnt, has refused to move with him to the APC.
Channels TV aired on Friday the video clips of Mr Eno’s remarks, which sources said have embarrassed the governor.
However, after the airing, Governor Eno’s spokesperson, Ekerete Udoh, assembled reporters in the Government House Press Corps, including those from Channels TV, and warned them against making the video of the governor’s remarks public.
“On Saturday morning, Ekerete Udoh called the Channels TV crew, and (he) informed them that the governor has barred them from the press centre,” one of the sources told our reporter.
“The governor was so furious, he wanted to sack Ekerete and disband the entire press corps,” the source added.
Christopher Moffat has been the Channels TV correspondent at the Government House, Uyo, for about 20 years. Kufre Ikpe is the station’s cameraman.
Our paper could not reach Governor Eno’s spokesperson, Mr Udoh, as his phone line was switched off.
The eviction of the Channels TV crew is coming about four days after the station’s CEO, John Momoh, visited Governor Eno at the Government House during the just-concluded Nigerian Institute of Public Relations Week in Uyo.
Eno, Momoh parley
Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has commended the Chairman of Channels Media Group and Chief Executive Officer of Channels Television, Dr. John Momoh for running the company with an innovative and creative business template which, according to him, has successfully sustained the media group for many years.
The Governor stated this during a courtesy visit on him by Momoh who is in the State for the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations Week taking place in Uyo, the State capital.
He noted that having won the best Television station for sixteen consecutive times, Channels TV has carved a niche for itself and attributed the success story to passion, commitment, hard work and resilience on the part of the management.
Governor Eno said for an organization to survive such a good number of years in business, it must be a product of commitment, dedication and passion stressing that the Channels business template is worthy of emulation by government at all levels.
The Governor who is also a seasoned businessman said Akwa Ibom State under his leadership is making efforts at changing the narrative for the good of the State.
He commended Momoh and Channels Television for their support in projecting the effort of government in delivering service to its people, and assured of his continuous partnership.
Earlier, Momoh had said he was in the State to take part in the NPRW2025 and deemed it necessary to pay homage to the Governor, who according to him, has greatly supported the Station since assumption of office.
Momoh commended the Governor for his impactful leadership and development strides anchored on the ARISE Agenda, adding, “I have been admiring you from afar and I thought I should come to greet you. Please keep up the good job. Your good reputation precedes you.”
