Following Governor Umo Eno’s defection to All Progressives Congress (APC), former Nigeria’s Minister of Petroleum, Atuekong Don Etiebet, has called on politicians in Akwa Ibom ‘‘Let us build bridges, not walls, and focus on delivering the dividends of democracy to our people.”
Etiebet who stated this in a press statement in Uyo described the decision of Governor Eno who defected from Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and joined the APC as key to the development of Akwa Ibom..
According to the Minister, ‘‘the defections at this time in our nation’s political history as a courageous and strategic step with links to the Federal government through our able third citizen of the country, His Excellency Senator Godswill Akpabio who is an APC leader. This reflects a commitment to the progress and unity of Akwa Ibom State and Nigeria as a whole.’’
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The APC Chieftain noted that in the past 24 months in office, Governor Eno has demonstrated capacity and shown that he is a Governor for all Akwa Ibomites.
“I warmly welcome the Executive Governor of Akwa Ibom State, His Excellency Pastor Umo Eno, Ph.D and the PDP Family into the All Progressives Congress (APC). Their decision to join the APC at this pivotal time in our nation’s political history is a courageous and strategic step that reflects a commitment to the progress and unity of Akwa Ibom State to bring it closer to the Federal Government through its able son, the President of the Senate who is the third citizen of the country and an APC Leader.
“Governor Eno has demonstrated uncommon leadership and commitment to the development of Akwa Ibom State. I particularly commend his bold steps in infrastructure development, which have had direct and positive impacts on the lives of ordinary Akwa Ibomites,’’ the statement reads.
“Governor Eno’s positive decisive action in the reconstruction of the long-abandoned road to my village in Oruk Anam is more than a blessing to our people. That road, which generations of leaders had promised to fix but abandoned is finally receiving the attention it deserves under his watch. The people of Oruk Anam LGA are happy and will not forget this as the road to development has finally come to them.
“Since assuming office, Governor Eno has shown himself to be a listening leader—one who is genuinely attuned to the yearnings and aspirations of the people. This has been evident in his consultative approach to governance and his willingness to prioritize projects that directly affect the grassroots. His brand of inclusive leadership is what we in the APC welcome and embrace, as we work to build a stronger, more united and friendly Akwa Ibom.
“The engagement of indigenous renowned construction firms—for major road infrastructure and ultra-modern flyovers as well as massive development of rural communities, is another commendable milestone. This bold move alone sets Governor Eno apart and sends a strong message about his commitment to quality and indigenous expertise for long-term self reliant infrastructural developments.
“As a chieftain of the APC in Akwa Ibom State and a former Minister of Petroleum, I understand the immense challenges that come with leadership. I also know the significance of having experienced, tested, and development-oriented leaders within our fold. The entrance of Governor Umo Eno and other PDP Leaders into the APC brings new energy, fresh perspectives, and a wealth of experience that will surely strengthen our party ahead of 2027.
“This is not the time for division, but for unity and for love of one another. We must all close ranks, put aside political differences, and focus on what truly matters—the welfare of our people and the future of Akwa Ibom State. The coming of Umo Eno and the PDP family into APC has erased all political and parochial boundaries in Akwa Ibom to establish one big Akwa Ibom movement for the progress and wellbeing of the people in peace and togetherness. I am confident that together, with Governor Umo Eno, the Senate President and all of us leaders working together with understanding we will chart a new and greater course for our state for a fulfilled promise land.
“Once again, I wholeheartedly welcome His Excellency Pastor Umo Eno and Other PDP Leaders and Members. I urge all APC members across the state to open their hearts and arms to these new entrants. Let us build bridges, not walls, and focus on delivering the dividends of democracy to our people,” he added.
Ekere, Umana and Unoma queue behind Eno
The former Akwa Ibom Deputy Governor, Obong Nsima Ekere said: “Governor Umo Eno has taken the right decision to connect Akwa Ibom to the centre and I want to assure him that the APC family in the beyond will ensure that he is reelected for a second term in 2027.”
A former minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Obong Umana Okon Umana, said the APC was happy to welcome the Akwa Ibom governor. “This governor is a performing governor and is highly regarded and loved by the people of Akwa Ibom State,” he said.
“And because he is a performing governor, and he had consulted widely, not only with members of the PDP, but across the spectrum, with critical stakeholders in the state, his move is very much welcome. And I’ll like to say that this was not a defection by the governor, it was a movement because all members of the House of Assembly also moved with the governor, all chairpersons running local government councils also moved, all the members of the House of Reps, the two senators elected on the platform of the PDP also moved with the governor.
On the day of defection, the wife of the Senate President of the federal republic of Nigeria, Dr. (Mrs) Unoma Akpabio, at the weekend in Uyo, brilliantly delivered some soothing words to the Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, over his defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The wife of the Senate President, who calmly displayed her elation at the progressive movement of the Governor, in her well delivered speech, liking to a motherly advice and encouragement, took time to commend the Governor for the path and bold steps he has chosen and has made, for the interest of the state and the people, but however did not fail to tell the Governor some truths, and drawing inferences for the experience of herself and the husband, in the course of their political journey to date, especially when they decided to dump PDP for APC, years back.
While describing the Governor’s movement as “not an easy decision to take”, she also bluntly and prophetically, told the Governor, “They will malign you. They will criticize you. They will insult you. So Get ready
“Don’t bother about what they will write. If you are bothered about what they write, our own has filled twenty tanks, but we have not been deterred.
“You will not regret this decision, because it is not about you, but about the people.
“Because you are a man of God, God opens your eyes to see tomorrow.
“You shall not fear, because you have God. You have a “lion”, in the person of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. You have a “Lion” in the person of the Senate President.
“Hand over everything to Christ. The word of God will comfort you.
