In a dramatic political shift that has sparked debate across Akwa Ibom and beyond, Governor Umo Eno has officially dumped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the All Progressives Congress (APC), confirming weeks of speculation and quiet maneuvering.
The defection, which many analysts view as a game-changing moment ahead of the 2027 general elections, was sealed in Uyo as a delegation of high-ranking APC governors stormed the Akwa Ibom State Government House in a show of force and solidarity.
Leading the APC entourage was Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State, who also serves as Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum. He was joined by Governors Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos), Bassey Otu (Cross River), Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), Francis Nwifuru (Ebonyi), Monday Okpebholo (Edo), and in a surprising twist Sheriff Oborevwori (Delta State), a PDP governor whose presence raised eyebrows and further fueled speculation of wider realignments.
“It Is Time to Move” Eno Justifies Defection
Speaking during a town hall meeting in Ikot Abasi, Governor Eno declared it was time for Akwa Ibom to “align with the center,” referring to APC’s grip on federal power.
“After extensive consultations, I believe it is time to move,” Eno stated. “We must position Akwa Ibom for greater synergy with the federal government.”
However, critics argue the governor’s move is less about governance and more about securing political survival amid internal PDP divisions and external pressures.
Political Calculations or Betrayal?
Eno’s defection has already triggered backlash from some of his own grassroots supporters, particularly elected PDP councilors who recently declared they would not defect with him, accusing the governor of sidelining them in his consultations.
Analysts are also questioning the wisdom of Eno’s gamble, pointing to Akwa Ibom’s deep-rooted PDP legacy and asking whether the APC can truly offer him a secure political future in a state where the party has historically struggled to gain traction.
“This move may backfire,” said a Uyo-based political analyst. “The governor risks alienating his traditional base without any clear guarantee that the APC structure will accept and protect him.”
APC’s 2027 Strategy in Full Swing
The presence of seven APC governors in Uyo is being interpreted as more than symbolic. Political insiders say the visit signals APC’s aggressive strategy to consolidate power in the South-South region — long considered a PDP stronghold.
By flipping a sitting PDP governor in one of the region’s most oil-rich states, the APC could be setting the stage for a fierce battle ahead of 2027.
“This isn’t just about Umo Eno,” another observer said. “It’s about weakening the PDP and laying the foundation for APC dominance in the Niger Delta.”
Meanwhile, Questions Remain
Despite the spectacle, questions linger about how this defection will impact governance, party structures, and the upcoming elections. Will Eno be accepted wholeheartedly by APC members in the state? Can he take his loyalists with him? And what happens to the fragile balance of political power within Akwa Ibom?
As the dust begins to settle, one thing is clear: the road to 2027 just got more turbulent.
Reference
Umo Eno Dumps PDP for APC as Party Governors Storm Uyo