Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, has officially ended his affiliation with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and declared his allegiance to the All Progressives Congress (APC), aligning himself with President Bola Tinubu’s economic vision.
Governor Eno made the announcement during a press briefing held in Uyo, the state’s capital, on Friday. He revealed that after completing wide-ranging consultations with key stakeholders and constituents, he made the decision to embrace the ruling party.
“Having completed the rounds of my consultations as your servant, I have therefore decided to progressivesly moved to the All Progressives Congress (APC),” Eno said.
He was quick to clarify that the move was made from a position of political leverage, not out of desperation.
“We are not joining the APC from a position of weakness, we are joining the APC from a position of strength,” he stated.
Governor Eno cited his intention to offer full backing to President Tinubu’s economic reforms as a core reason for his realignment.
His defection follows that of Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, who made a similar transition roughly a month and a half earlier.
Hints of Eno’s political shift emerged in April when he openly endorsed President Tinubu’s second-term bid during the launch of a 65-kilometre highway project in Nsit-Antai Local Government Area.
The speculation intensified recently when the governor reportedly instructed his cabinet members and political appointees to either align with his new political direction or resign.
Eno was elected governor in the 2023 general elections and officially took office on May 29. A native of Ikot Ekpene Udo in the Nsit Ubium LGA, he was born on April 24, 1964, to Mr. Basey Umo Eno, a senior police officer, and Deaconess Eka Umo Eno.
An alumnus of the University of Uyo, he holds both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Political Science and Public Administration. Prior to entering public service, he worked in the banking sector before founding a successful hospitality enterprise. He also leads the All Nations Christian Ministry International and previously held the role of Commissioner for Lands and Water Resources in the state.
