Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State has formally severed ties with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and declared his allegiance to the All Progressives Congress (APC), bringing an end to weeks of intense political speculation.
Speaking in Uyo on Friday, Eno explained that his decision came after three months of wide-ranging consultations with political leaders and stakeholders throughout the state.
“For quite some time, discussions have swirled around my possible departure from the PDP—the party that brought me into office,” the governor said. “Today, I’m here to put an end to the rumours and share my decision openly.”
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Quoting the Dalai Lama, Eno said, “Change is necessary, but it must never come at the cost of our collective values.”
He stressed that the move was the outcome of careful reflection and sincere dialogue with political allies.
He revealed that he had resigned from the PDP earlier in the day, submitting a letter to his ward chairman and forwarding copies to the party’s leadership at both state and national levels.
“I’m grateful to the PDP for the platform it provided and for the opportunity to serve Akwa Ibom under its banner these past two years,” he said.
According to the governor, his final round of consultations took place Thursday evening with senior PDP members.
He described the process as the most extensive in the state’s political history, adding that he had acted out of deep respect for the people and leaders of Akwa Ibom.
“This is not a decision I made in isolation,” Eno noted. “It was important for me to listen, to seek guidance, and to be transparent about my intentions.”
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The governor characterised his defection as a strategic response to the shifting political landscape, saying: “Leadership demands that we read the times correctly. At this point, I believe aligning with the APC is the right step forward.”
He joined the likes of Sheriff Oborevwori, Governor of Delta State, Ifeanyi Okowa, Senator Ned Nwoko, and others in defecting from the PDP to the APC
