Governor Umo Eno’s Defection to APC Sparks Political Earthquake in Akwa Ibom

First Tv Online, UYO — The political atmosphere in Akwa Ibom State is charged with uncertainty and speculation as Governor Umo Eno prepares to officially defect from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) today, Friday, June 6, 2025.

High-profile politicians, including governors and national APC leaders, began arriving in Uyo on Thursday evening ahead of the highly anticipated announcement. Among the early arrivals were the Governor of Cross River State, Senator Prince Bassey Otu, and his Imo State counterpart, Governor Hope Uzodimma, who also serves as Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum.

More APC bigwigs are expected to storm the Akwa Ibom Government House this morning to receive Governor Eno as he joins the ruling party in a move that has stunned political watchers across the country.

Inside sources say the PDP was caught flat-footed by the governor’s sudden shift, with party leaders scrambling to understand the full implications. So far, key PDP figures — including elder statesmen, former public officeholders, and appointees — have maintained radio silence, a signal that all may not be well within the party’s ranks.

Governor Eno’s defection is said to have triggered internal tension among his aides, many of whom are reportedly unwilling to follow him into the APC. Special Assistants, Senior Special Assistants, and Personal Assistants are said to be distancing themselves from the political transition.

The governor’s dramatic exit is already causing ripples in the PDP’s plans for the 2027 general elections. Analysts say it could unravel existing zoning and power rotation agreements in the state, potentially leading to a chaotic political realignment.

For many local politicians and supporters, the defection feels like a betrayal. Grassroots mobilizers and long-time party loyalists are expressing quiet outrage over what they see as a personal decision made without consultation.

On a national scale, the PDP is set to lose another stronghold, reducing its governorship control to just ten states: Adamawa, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Enugu, Osun, Oyo, Plateau, Rivers, Taraba, and Zamfara.

As Friday unfolds, all eyes remain fixed on Akwa Ibom, where today’s defection may well redefine the state’s political direction and deepen the cracks within the opposition party.