By Barikui Felix
The Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State, Chief Tony Okocha, has hailed the defection of Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC, describing it as a bold and strategic move.
Governor Eno, alongside his commissioners, local government chairmen, and other loyalists, officially joined the APC last Friday — a shift that has sent ripples across the political landscape in the South-South.
In a statement issued through his Special Assistant on Media, Vincent Gbosi, Chief Okocha said the governor’s defection marks a new chapter for Akwa Ibom.
“The defection of His Excellency, Pastor Umo Eno, to the APC is a wise decision and a step in the right direction,” Okocha stated. “With this development, Akwa Ibom State is now in the league of progressive states in Nigeria.”
Okocha emphasized that the mass defection of key political figures — including members of the State Executive Council, State House of Assembly, National Assembly representatives, and local government chairmen — signals growing confidence in the leadership of the APC-led federal government.
“It’s becoming increasingly evident, even to the skeptics, that the policies of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as outlined in the Renewed Hope Agenda, are beginning to put Nigeria back on the path of transformation and economic recovery,” he said.
He described the ongoing wave of defections into the APC as a “Tinubu Tsunami” — a reflection of nationwide support for the President’s vision.
“As we move closer to the 2027 presidential election, more defections are expected. This growing momentum will ultimately secure a second term for President Bola Tinubu,” Okocha predicted.
He also commended the Chairman of the APC in Akwa Ibom State, Obong Stephen Ntukekpo, for his strategic leadership in facilitating the governor’s defection.
“There’s no doubt that the leadership style and hard work of Obong Ntukekpo played a key role in the governor’s decision to join our party,” Okocha added.
