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By Myke Agunwa
The residents of Akwa Ibom state have publicly declared their opposition by the state governor, Umo Eno, elected on the platform of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to join the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Pointblanknews.com had earlier reported that the governor had in April, muted plans to join the APC.
He further mandated his commissioners and other appointees to get prepared to either join him in the APC or resign if they are not comfortable with his decision.
In a drama that ensued at a town hall meeting in Ikot Abasi on Wednesday, Governor Eno announced his intention to defect to the ruling party but met a resounding opposition and resistance from the crowd.
Speaking at the event, the governor said he had conducted extensive consultations and was convinced that “it is time to move” in order to align the state with the ruling party at the federal level.
“We’re progressively moving forward, linking Akwa Ibom to the centre. And I know you’re going with us. Are you going with us, so we can connect to the centre?” Eno asked.
The crowd however responded with a thunderous “No!”, overshadowing the handful of “Yes” voices, creating a tense atmosphere in the crowded event.
But despite the resistance, the governor continued to make the case for defection, citing the need for Akwa Ibom to “belong and be counted” in national politics, and to support President Bola Tinubu and Senate President Godswill Akpabio ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“We thank you for your support. I’ve gone round to consult… And so we have done enough consultation. The time has come that we will move. And we will go to where God is leading us.
“Do not be afraid. Believe in us. Believe in President Tinubu because the future is bright. We are already a minority state in Nigeria. If we come again and start breaking ourselves into pieces, we become minority of the minorities and cannot get anything.”
Highlighting the importance of unity across party lines, he declared that Tinubu, Akpabio, and himself must return to office in 2027.
Recall that the governor had earlier expelled the Channels TV crew from the press centre inside Government House, Uyo.
The crew made up of Christopher Moffat, a reporter and Kufre Ikpe, a cameraman, were expelled for publishing a video clip in which Eno confirmed that the he would defect from the PDP to the APC.
Eno’s spokesperson, Ekerete Udoh, who called the two members of the Channels TV crew after the report went viral, informed them that they had been barred from the press centre.