Saturday June 21, 2025|
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Saturday, June 21, formally received Governor Umo Eno to the All Progressives Congress, APC, with the promise to integrate Akwa Ibom State into the centre of national politics and development.
Also on hand to welcome Governor Eno to the APC was the National Chairman of APC Abdullahi Ganduje and the leadership of the National Assembly led by the Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
At least 24 Governors of the ruling party among others including those of Cross River, Imo, Kwara, Kogi Jigawa, Delta, Edo, Ebonyi, Lagos, Ogun, Sokoto and Ondo among attended the grand reception of Governor Eno to the APC.
Addressing the crowd at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, venue of the event, President Tinubu said Governor Eno will not regret joining the APC, adding the expectations of the governor for Akwa Ibom will be met.
Represented by the Vice President Senator Kassim Shettima, the President said that the APC is committed to its own.
“We are here today because we understand the fundamental truth that for any political party, the most enduring power does not come from division, it comes from unity of purpose.
“This friend we seek is not found in standing alone, nor in fighting amongst ourselves, but in standing together. And that strength grows with every voice that joins this cause. That is how we move forward, not by clinging to what divides us, but by running around what leaves us.
“We are here because we believe in building bridges, not walls, in mending fences, not erecting new ones. And above all, we are here because we know that the political party is more than a political party is its people. The people are the party.
“I’m telling you this, Your Excellency Pastor Umo Eno, because I want you to know that President Tinubu is a bridge-builder, a democrat. And so your decision to come home to the APC is one that you will never regret.
“Mr. President, ask me to assure you personally, no one will question your place here. The party is your home. You will not be humiliated. You will not be forsaken. We are your brothers and sisters in the high tide.
“We rise with the low ebbs, we ride together, and we rise together, and we protect those who put us through fire and plot. That is why, ten years on, despite all odds, we remain the party to beat,” he stated.
Akpabio congratulated Eno for joining APC, saying that the development was a clear signal that the remaining states of the Southsouth will soon join the ruling party.
He maintained that Tinubu was a sincere and compassionate leader who will deliver on the expectations of Akwa Ibom people regarding the realization of Ibom Deep Seaport and other key infrastructural projects.
Akpabio said, ‘What is happening is not just political movement, it is political maturity; not just a generational responsibility, but the language of statesmanship and because you have been faithful with a little entrusted to you, your step is ordered by God.
“You have placed the unity and progress of Akwa Ibom State above party lines, you have chosen partnership over partisanship. So to the men and women of Akwa Ibom State who have followed you diligently in this defining moment, our leaders, our thinkers, our patrons, i say to you welcome home to the progressive family.
“We are here coming to you the APC with loyalty with competence, and with strategic importance to our youth who are living in this country, and we will insist respectfully that our state be given its rightful place in our national equation.
“So our dear president, we plead with you that you extend your grace and support to the request that the governor will make including the deep sea ports so that we can develop our blue economy, lead to empowerment of our youths and the elevation of our women across board,” he stated. 
Ganduje said the movement of Governor Umo Eno into the party was from national political isolation to political relevance.
Ganduje said the movement of South-South governors into the APC was a signal that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu policies were inclusive and worth aligning with.
He assured Governor Eno that with his movement to the APC, President Tinubu would begin to implement programmes that would solve the environmental problems in the state and region as well as provide employment opportunities for the youths.
“In fact from your antecedent, from your disposition you are a progressive governor. We welcome you for coming home. Those that he met in the party, don’t regard him and his followers as newcomers. No, regard them as your brothers and sisters who went for sabbatical leave and now decided to come back home because they are progressive and they are meeting progressive party followers.
“We assure him that our party believes in internal democracy. Our party believes in progressive ideas. Our party believes in discipline. Our party believes in orderly progresses. Our party believes in overall development of democracy.
“So you are most welcome into our party. We have to acknowledge Mr. President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. People are coming into our party, our political agenda, our renewed hope agenda for the South-South geopolitical zone is working,” he stated. 
Akwa Ibom Governor Pastor Umo Eno said he took a risk to abandon the People’s Democratic Party, PDP to join the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio in the APC so as to secure the Ibom Deep Seaport, adding that the movement was from a position of strength.
He stated that he was willing to face the political storm ahead as long as he secures the Ibom Deep Seaport for Akwa Ibom, and reassured the people that he would remain a governor for all despite party affiliations.
He added that the emphasis of his government is the implementation of the ARISE agenda, and urged all factions within the APC to sheathe their swords and close ranks to reunite the party and move it forward.
“Let me reassure all Akwa Ibomites that regardless of my political alignment, I will remain a governor for all Akwa Ibomites as we continue to implement progressively the Arise Agenda, which is our social contract with the Akwa Ibom people.
“Today, your Excellencies, we step out bold, fearless, brave, courageous, and happy. For this is an uncommon but progressive move, from a position of8 strength.
“For we are not afraid of the future, nor afraid of the storms ahead. As I’ve been taking a good decision, we have taken a risk by joining our son, the distinguished Senate President, to work with him and to deliver our President in 2027,” he stated.
