Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has confirmed plans to defect from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) but vowed to maintain control over the PDP’s internal structure within the state. Speaking during a recent State Executive Council meeting, Governor Eno emphasized his respect for the PDP, acknowledging that the party played a key role in his political journey. However, he expressed dissatisfaction with the current political climate in the PDP, which he believes may not support his continued candidacy under its platform.
“I will continue and always continue to respect the People’s Democratic Party, because without them, I wouldn’t be here,” Eno stated. “But the current signs do not convince me to run on that platform, much as I would have wanted to.”
Despite signaling his imminent defection, Eno made it clear that he will not allow the PDP’s grassroots machinery in Akwa Ibom to be hijacked or misused by opportunists or external interests. “We will not leave the PDP for thieves to hijack and use it to fight against us. If anyone thinks we are going to do that, they are mistaken,” he warned. “We will preserve the party structure so that members can work together and stay united.”
The governor also addressed rumors about dissolving his executive council, dismissing them as baseless and asserting that only non-performing members would be removed. He stressed that loyalty to his political direction is a prerequisite for remaining in his cabinet: “If you are not with me where I’m going, you cannot be in my executive council.”
Governor Eno’s remarks underscore a strategic political balancing act: while preparing to join the APC and align with President Bola Tinubu’s leadership, he intends to keep a firm grip on the PDP’s organizational framework in Akwa Ibom. This approach aims to safeguard the party’s structure from external interference and maintain unity among its members.
With the 2027 elections approaching, Eno’s position signals a potentially significant realignment in Akwa Ibom politics, as he seeks to redefine his political path while retaining influence over the state’s dominant party machinery.