Tuesday June 10, 2025|
Ten National Assembly members from Akwa Ibom State elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and the Young Peoples Party, YPP, have resolved to join Governor Umo Eno in the All Progressives Congress, APC.
They join two senators from Edo and Nasarawa, Neda Imasuen and Ahmed Wadada respectively, in planned defections to the ruling APC.
This happened just as the ruling party admitted it was working to bring four other PDP governors into its fold despite accusations it was working to turn Nigeria into a one-party state.
Some of the Akwa Ibom senators and Reps members confirmed their intention to switch to the APC but declined to speak on record, citing the need to follow due legislative process.
The PDP lawmakers who have pledged allegiance to the APC are Senators Ekong Sampson (Akwa Ibom South) and Aniekan Bassey (Akwa Ibom North-East), and House of Representatives members Okpolupm Etteh, Paul Asuquo, Alphonsus Uduak and Ime Bassey. Others are Martins Esin, Unyime Idem and Mark Esset.
Emmanuel Ukpongudo, a member of the YPP, is also reported to have chosen to throw his lot in with the APC.
The development comes on the heels of the defection of Governor Eno to the PDP last Friday. He cited the need to align the oil-rich state with the government at the centre.
Governor Eno followed in the steps of Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, who dumped the PDP for the APC in April.
Leading the APC delegation, which received Governor Eno into his new party, was Imo State Governor and Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum, Hope Uzodimma.
A video shared on the official APC X (formerly Twitter) handle captured President Bola Tinubu following the proceedings on TVC News, underscoring his keen interest in the event and emphasising his preparation ahead of the 2027 election.
