Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has officially defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), ending weeks of speculation about his political future.
Speaking on Friday in Uyo, the state capital, Governor Eno said his decision came after three months of extensive consultations with stakeholders across the state.
“For some time now, the political space in our state and the nation has been awash with speculation about my possible move from the PDP,” he said. “Today, I have come to put an end to that speculation. Like the Dalai Lama once said, ‘We should always be open to change, but not to let go of our shared values’.”
Eno confirmed that he had submitted his resignation letter to his PDP ward chairman earlier in the day, with copies sent to the party’s state and national chairmen. He expressed gratitude to the PDP for supporting him during his political rise and governing the state for the past two years.
“I want to thank the Peoples Democratic Party for their love and for walking this path with me. But this is a defining moment for Akwa Ibom,” he stated.
According to the governor, his decision was not made lightly. “No one in the history of this state has consulted as widely before switching parties,” he said, adding that the consultations culminated in a final meeting with key PDP stakeholders on Thursday evening.”
Governor Eno had previously hinted at this move during a speech in April, where he likened the PDP to a “faulty aircraft,” suggesting a shift in allegiance might be necessary ahead of the 2027 elections.
