Uko Okon
In a significant political move, Akwa Ibom State Governor Umo Eno has officially defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), citing his belief in President Bola Tinubu’s leadership and vision for the country.
Recall that Eno became the governor of Akwa Ibom State under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, which has held power in the state since 1999.
Eno, while declaring his official defection to the APC on Friday, June 6, at the government house, stated that the only constant thing is ‘change’ and that he would not support the president from a distance.
The governor noted that the official declaration would put to rest several months of speculation and analysis, even as he prided himself on being the first person in the state to move party and hold wider consultations.
Eno, while soliciting support from Akwa Ibom people, demanded total loyalty from his appointees, whom he described as the first 11, saying that their loyalty was non-negotiable.
He announced that he had already obtained support from President Tinubu, Senator Godswill Akpabio, and other APC governors, as his movement would not only link Akwa Ibom to the centre but also transform it.
His words: “I thank the PDP for their support, but this is a defining moment for me. Having fully consulted critical stakeholders along the length and breadth of the state, I needed to explain my reasons for moving. As children of Isacchar, we must be able to interpret the times and run with the times, not against them.
“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 fiber remain the same and i will always work with you regardless of party affiliation.
“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, building back a party that was once torn apart, and supporting President Tinubu.
”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, ill go all out for it, i can’t be visiting the president in the night and be saying something else in the day, that’s why i’ve decided to join the train of the president, to support him so i will not be accused of anti party, let me assure you that our government has always been inclusive government and it shall continue. No matter the party you are, you are first an Akwa Ibom person, political party is only a vehicle, and we have our state to live in. Therefore, I call on all Akwa Ibomites, especially the APC faithful, wherever you are, to return. let’s build together, whatever the issues have been, let us shield our differences as we begin to renew and build together and ensure we return our president in 2027.”
In a goodwill message, the president of the Senate, Mr Godswill Akpabio who was represented by his wife, Ekaete Unoma commended the governor for taking the bold step to join APC praying that his entrance would bring good tidings to the state.
The Senate President also encouraged him to develop a thick skin against criticisms that would surely come but reassured him that with God and the president behind him, he would succeed.
“Your excellency, they will malign you and abuse you that you will be surprised but because God is with you! fear no one, because you have a lion in Mr president and another lion in the person of Mr Senate president you shall fear no one. God will give you peace and protect your family, dont bother about what they will write, if its about what they will write our own has filled GP tank but we have not been deterred.
“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 Akwa Ibom people, not because of personal gains , when our 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.” He said.
The governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodinma leading other APC governors in receiving Governor Umo Eno, noted that the new trajectory of socio-economic development in the country by President Tinubu would continue to endear many to the party
”We have a new trajectory of development and growth in the country, other presidents left with a learner’s permit, but Mr President has a driver’s license and he is driving us well,” Uzodinma noted.
APC stakeholders in the state were present, including nine governors of Edo, Ogun, Ondo, Ekiti, Cross River, Ebonyi, Lagos, Delta and Imo States.
