Raphael Kanu
The Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Umo Eno, has officially defected from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress.
He made this known during an official announcement on Friday at the Government House in Uyo, the state capital.
The governor said the decision followed “three months of wide consultation” with critical stakeholders across the state.
Eno expressed his gratitude to the PDP for their support during his tenure, stating that it was time for him to make a progressive move.
The governor said he decided to join the APC, citing his admiration for President Bola Tinubu and the need for Akwa Ibom State to align with the federal government to reap continuous benefits.
Eno also assured the people of Akwa Ibom State that he would continue to work tirelessly for their benefit, regardless of party affiliation.
He said, “After completing the rounds of my consultation as your servant whom you have elected to serve, I have therefore decided to progressively move to the APC.
”We’re joining the APC today in the state interest and because of our critical admiration and respect for President Tinubu and to provide the needed support for Senate President, Godswill Akpabio.
”We are not joining the APC from the position of weakness but from the position of strength. We are joining the APC out of a need to align our state with the center.”
Some of the APC Governors who attended the event included the Chairman of the Progressives Governors Forum and Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodimma; Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos), Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), Sheriff Oborevwori (Delta), Francis Nwifuru (Ebonyi), Lucky Aiyedatiwa (Ondo) and Bassey Otu (Cross River).
For those who have been following the Governor’s recent remarks, this may not have come as a surprise as he had hinted of his potential move to the APC. In one of such remarks he had asked any of his cabinet members not willing to follow him to his new party to resign.
Meanwhile, Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Special Duties and Ibom Deep Seaport, Ini Ememobong, has formally resigned following Governor Umo Eno’s defection to the All Progressives Congress
In a Facebook post on Friday, Ememobong explained that his resignation was in accordance with the Governor’s directive that any political appointee unwilling to join the APC should step aside.
“Today, I have tendered my resignation to the Governor in compliance with his directive that his appointees who are unwilling to join him on the political journey to the APC should resign,” he stated.
Ememobong, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party, emphasised that his decision was guided by his principles and long-standing opposition to the APC.
