Akwa Ibom State’s political landscape is on edge following a dramatic directive from Governor Umo Eno, who has ordered all his commissioners and political appointees to prepare for a mass defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC) or resign. The governor made the announcement during a high-stakes State Executive Council meeting in Uyo on Thursday, May 22, 2025, sparking a political firestorm that could reshape the state’s future.
Governor Eno minced no words: “You better just be prepared to resign the day I announce that I’m moving because you are an appointee and your loyalty is to me.” His declaration leaves little room for neutrality and has ignited fierce debate across party lines and social media platforms.
The decision to leave the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), a party that has dominated Akwa Ibom for over two decades, did not come lightly. Governor Eno blamed the PDP’s ongoing internal crisis, especially over the national secretary position, for his move. He expressed frustration over the lack of structure and legal clarity, warning it could derail his future electoral ambitions. “I love the PDP, I want to stay in the PDP, but clearly, I don’t have a road map to guarantee that I’ll be able to have a smooth sail in the elections,” he said.
Eno praised President Bola Tinubu’s leadership and suggested that aligning with the APC would open up federal support for Akwa Ibom. He boasted that his administration’s performance makes him confident of victory under any political banner, declaring, “Even if we contest on a zero party, we will win this election.”
Governor Eno’s message to his cabinet was unambiguous: follow me or find the door. He warned that remaining in the PDP while serving in his administration amounts to “anti-party activity.” Although elected officials like local government chairmen and House of Assembly members are exempt, appointed officials are expected to fall in line.
“You can’t be in my cabinet and play anti-party. It’s not a threat; it is what it is,” Eno said, reinforcing his intent to maintain unity in what could become the most consequential defection in the state’s history.
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Eno’s anticipated switch, reportedly slated for formal declaration on June 6, 2025, comes just months after Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori also jumped ship to the APC. The move could signify a coordinated wave of defections aimed at consolidating power before the 2027 general elections.
The tension is already palpable. Former Governor Udom Emmanuel, a staunch PDP loyalist, is said to be resisting the pressure to defect, setting up a possible political showdown. Eno has vowed not to relinquish the PDP’s structure in the state, even as he allies with Senate President Godswill Akpabio, an APC heavyweight. Their relationship has raised eyebrows, particularly after Eno allowed the APC to win Akpabio’s local government area, Essien Udim, during the October 2024 local polls.
Predictably, reactions have been swift and divided. The APC Media Network in Akwa Ibom has hailed Eno’s defection as a “huge win,” celebrating the expected boost in federal connections. Critics, however, accuse the governor of strong-arm tactics and warn that forcing appointees to switch parties undermines democratic values.
On social media platform X (formerly Twitter), hashtags related to Eno’s directive have trended nationwide. Users like @AyeSOEgberi expressed shock at the development, while @Emperordotman claimed the move had been in the works for weeks. The buzz is about national significance of the defection and its potential to become a defining moment ahead of the next general elections.
Governor Eno’s high-stakes gamble could either solidify his grip on power or trigger a political crisis within the PDP’s once-unshakable base. With his appointees caught between party loyalty and political survival, the next few weeks will be telling. Will they stay loyal to their party, or to the man who appointed them?
