Saturday June 7, 2025|

The Akwa Ibom Governor Pastor Umo Eno, on Friday, June 6, officially dumped the PDP for the ruling APC.

The declaration ceremony was witnessed live by President Bola Tinubu on television, while the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, was represented by his wife, Unoma Akpabio.

A video shared by the official APC account on X.com (formerly Twitter) captured the President watching the live transmission on TVC News.

The Chairman of the APC Governors’ Forum and Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, led eight other APC governors to the ceremony.

The governors were Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos), Bassey Otu (Cross River), Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), Monday Okpebholo (Edo), Biodun Oyebanji (Ekiti), Lucky Aiyedatiwa (Ondo), Francis Nwifuru (Ebonyi), and Oborevwori (Delta).

Also present were the former governor of Kebbi State and Minister of Budget and National Planning, Atiku Bagudu, state APC chairmen, and other notable dignitaries.

It was gathered that all the erstwhile PDP state assembly lawmakers joined the governor, alongside members of the National Assembly caucus, to join the APC.

During his official declaration at the Government House, Uyo, on Friday, Eno said the only constant thing was “change,” adding that he would not be supporting the President from a distance.

Eno said, “We are not joining the APC from a position of weakness but from a position of strength.

“We are bringing value to the APC in the state, we are building back a party that was once torn apart, we are supporting President Tinubu.”

He noted that the official declaration would put to rest several months of speculation and analysis, adding that he had made wider consultations before his decision.

He said he had already extracted a commitment from the President, Akpabio, and APC governors, adding that his movement would link Akwa Ibom to the centre and transform it in its entirety.

“I thank the PDP for their support, but this is a defining moment for me and, having fully consulted critical stakeholders along the length and breadth of the state, I needed to explain my reasons for moving.

“As children of Issachar, we must be able to interpret the times and run with it, and not against it.

“I have decided to move to the APC. I make bold to say categorically that I have changed my political affiliations, but my values and moral fibre remain the same, and I will always work with you regardless of party affiliation,” Eno said.

The governor added that he would not be comfortable visiting the President at night and doing something else during the day.

“I am not known to talk from both sides of my mouth. People who know me will know that if I believe in a thing, I will go all out for it.

“I can’t be visiting the President at night and be saying something else during the day. That’s why I’ve decided to join the train of the President and to support him.

“This is so that I will not be accused of playing anti-party. Let me assure you that our government has always been an inclusive government, and it shall continue.

“No matter the party you are in, you are first an Akwa Ibom person. A political party is only a vehicle, and we have our state to live in,” he said.

While soliciting support from the Akwa Ibom people, Eno demanded loyalty from his appointees, whom he described as the “first eleven,” saying that their loyalty must be non-negotiable.

“Therefore, I call on all Akwa Ibomites, especially the APC faithful, to let us build together.

“Whatever the issues have been, let us set aside our differences as we begin to renew and build together, and ensure we re-elect our President in 2027,” he added.

In a goodwill message, Akpabio commended the governor for taking the bold step to join the APC, praying that his entrance would bring good tidings to the state.

Akpabio, represented by his wife at the declaration ceremony, also encouraged the governor to develop a thick skin against criticism, which would surely come.

He reassured him that with God and Mr President behind him, he would succeed.

“Your Excellency, they will malign you, abuse you to the extent that you will be surprised, but because God is with you, fear no one.

“You have a lion in Mr President and another lion in the person of Mr Senate President, so you need fear no one.

“God will give you peace and protect your family. Don’t bother about what they will write. If it’s about what they will write, our own has filled the GeePee tank, but we have not been deterred.”

Recalling the same step he took in 2019, Akpabio said he was called names and crucified, adding, however, that today, he, alongside others, is reaping.

“Thank you for taking this bold decision. It’s not an easy one, let nobody kid you, but you are not going to regret it because you did it because of the Akwa Ibom people, not because of personal gains.

“When the Senate President took that decision in 2019, it was like ‘crucify him’. There was no name he was not called, but today all of us are reaping from it.

“He is your brother, your friend, your father and our leader. May God continue to bless him for leading on this track. We didn’t understand him at first,” Akpabio’s wife said.

Uzodimma, leading other APC governors to receive Eno, said the new trajectory of socio-economic development in the country by the President would continue to endear many to the party.

“We have a new trajectory of development and growth in the country. Other Presidents left with learner’s permits, but Mr President has the driver’s licence, and he is driving us well,” Uzodimma noted.

Governor Eno later proceeded to register officially as an APC member at Obotim Ward in Nsit Ubium Local Government Area of the state to perfect his defection formalities.