A’Ibom Councilors Reject Umo Eno’s Planned Defection to APC
As Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State reportedly finalizes plans to defect from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), discontent is growing among the state’s grassroots lawmakers the elected local government councilors.
A significant number of councilors under the Forum of Elected Councilors have expressed outrage over being sidelined in the governor’s political calculations. While Governor Eno has reportedly consulted with federal and state lawmakers, local government chairmen, and other high-ranking political stakeholders, the councilors say they have been left in the dark a move they consider not just disrespectful, but politically tone-deaf.
“We were elected just like others,” a senior member of the councilors’ forum who asked to remain anonymous told this reporter. “Yet, the governor has not deemed it necessary to speak with us. Why should we follow him to a party we’ve never been aligned with?”
The councilors are warning that they will not follow the governor into the APC unless he personally addresses their concerns and offers clear terms. According to them, many already stand a good chance of re-election under the PDP, especially in zones where they are favored by party zoning arrangements.
Grassroots Power Ignored?
The councilors argue that the governor may be underestimating their electoral value. They maintain that while political heavyweights may wield influence at the state level, actual elections are won at the grassroots in polling units, not boardrooms or Government House meetings.
“The critical stakeholders he consulted cannot win elections in our wards without us,” one councilor said pointedly. “If he refuses to engage us, we will stay in the PDP. We owe our loyalty to the people who elected us, not to political bandwagons.”
The Pushback: What About the People?
Many councilors are now faced with a dilemma: how to explain the governor’s defection to their constituents without any official communication or compelling reason for the political switch.
“What are we supposed to tell our supporters?” one councilor asked rhetorically. “How do we justify abandoning our party and our people’s trust without clear reasons or benefits?”
Commissioner Fires Back
In response to the growing backlash, a serving commissioner, speaking anonymously, dismissed the councilors’ objections as unnecessary, claiming the governor has already secured the backing of more senior stakeholders namely, the local government chairmen.
“None of those councilors actually won their elections independently,” the commissioner alleged. “The governor does not owe them a personal explanation. His defection is voluntary, not mandatory.”
Still, the commissioner’s remarks are likely to deepen the rift between the Governor’s camp and the local lawmakers. Critics argue that undermining the councilors the most direct link between government and the people could backfire politically in future elections.
What’s Next?
Governor Umo Eno’s next political move remains uncertain, but what’s clear is this: a major crack is forming within his base. If the councilors the foot soldiers of grassroots mobilization refuse to follow, the governor’s anticipated defection may come at a steep political cost.
Reference
A’Ibom Councilors Reject Umo Eno’s Planned Defection to APC