A wave of political tension swept across Akwa Ibom State on Thursday evening as several high-ranking politicians arrived ahead of Governor Umo Eno’s anticipated defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), expected to take place today, Friday, June 6, 2025.
Notable arrivals at the Government House in Uyo included Senator Prince Bassey Otu, Governor of Cross River State, and Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State, who also serves as the Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum. More APC chieftains and political allies are expected to join them this morning as they formally welcome Governor Eno into the ruling party.
PDP in Disarray as Silence Signals Discontent
Governor Eno’s sudden shift has sent shockwaves through the PDP's ranks in Akwa Ibom, with many stakeholders stunned by both the timing and decisiveness of the move. Party sources revealed that the defection took many PDP leaders by surprise, leaving them scrambling to respond.
So far, senior party figures including former political appointees, prominent elders, and elected officials have avoided public statements, a silence political analysts interpret as a sign of internal turmoil and resentment.
The development is seen as a significant blow to the PDP’s structure in Akwa Ibom, a state long considered one of its strongholds.
Aides Unlikely to Follow Governor to APC
Insider reports indicate that many of Governor Eno’s aides including Special Assistants (SAs), Senior Special Assistants (SSAs), and Personal Assistants (PAs) may not join him in his switch to the APC. The looming defection has exposed fractures within the governor’s camp, with some loyalists reportedly feeling blindsided or abandoned by the abrupt realignment.
The internal division is expected to complicate APC’s integration process and may cause further political realignments ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Implications for 2027 and Power Rotation
The governor’s defection is also expected to disrupt existing power-sharing and zoning arrangements in the state, which have historically played a key role in maintaining political stability. Local leaders, particularly from Eno’s base, are reportedly unsettled by the move, with several viewing it as a betrayal of the PDP’s mandate and grassroots supporters.
Nationwide Impact on PDP's Political Strength
Should Governor Eno’s defection be officially confirmed, it would mark another significant loss for the opposition party, reducing its control to just 10 states nationwide:
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Adamawa
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Bauchi
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Bayelsa
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Enugu
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Osun
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Oyo
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Plateau
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Rivers
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Taraba
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Zamfara
This further consolidation of APC's dominance at the sub-national level is likely to bolster its positioning ahead of the 2027 presidential race, while posing serious strategic challenges for the PDP’s rebuilding efforts.
As of press time, Governor Eno has not made an official public statement confirming the defection, but all signs indicate that a formal announcement is imminent.
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