Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State has made a decisive political move, instructing members of his cabinet and appointed officials to either follow him into the All Progressives Congress (APC) or vacate their roles.
The announcement reportedly came during a State Executive Council (EXCO) meeting held on Thursday, where Governor Eno formally disclosed his departure from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). According to insider accounts, the governor emphasized that his defection had long been in motion.
“Anybody who claims he is not aware of my intention to leave the PDP is still living in the 18th century,” Eno said, addressing the EXCO members.
Explaining his political shift, Governor Eno praised President Bola Tinubu’s leadership, saying it inspired his desire to forge stronger ties with the federal government.
He also made it clear that his administration had no room for divided loyalties. According to sources, he delivered a direct message to his appointees: fall in line or find the exit.
“Apart from elected officials like House of Assembly members and Local Government Chairmen, I have nothing to negotiate with you,” Eno declared.
In a bold assertion of control over the state’s political landscape, he added, “Let me tell you, anybody who believes that when I leave the PDP he will use the party structure to fight me is lying, because I will still control the PDP structure.”
At the time this report was compiled, the executive meeting was still underway, with further reactions from the cabinet expected soon.
