In a significant political development, President Bola Tinubu has officially welcomed Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, into the All Progressives Congress (APC), marking a pivotal shift in the nation’s political landscape. Governor Eno’s defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Friday makes him the second South-South governor, after Delta State’s Sheriff Oborevwori, to join the APC in less than two months.
With this latest move, the APC now controls 23 states, while the PDP holds 10, and the All Progressives Grand Alliance, Labour Party, and New Nigeria People’s Party each have one state. The political spotlight now turns to other PDP governors, including Adamawa’s Ahmadu Fintiri, Enugu’s Peter Mbah, Plateau’s Caleb Mutfwang, and the suspended Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, amid speculation about further defections.
Governor Fintiri, who recently met with National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, is reportedly experiencing strained relations with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar. Meanwhile, the Enugu PDP continues to defend Governor Mbah against defection rumors, even as similar denials preceded Oborevwori’s switch to the APC.
President Tinubu, speaking at the APC national summit on May 22, 2025, affirmed that such defections are a constitutional right and a reflection of Nigeria’s democratic vibrancy. “I’m glad about what we have, and I’m expecting more to come. That is the game. We’re in a constitutional democracy,” Tinubu stated, emphasizing that freedom of association is not a crime.
Governor Eno’s official declaration was broadcast live, with President Tinubu watching from Abuja. Senate President Godswill Akpabio was represented by his wife, Unoma Akpabio, and nine APC governors, led by Hope Uzodimma, attended the event. Notably, all former PDP state assembly members and National Assembly caucus members joined Eno in defecting.
However, the move was not without dissent. Commissioner for Information and Special Duties, Ini Ememobong, resigned, citing personal principles and a long-standing opposition to the APC.
Governor Eno, addressing the state, said, “We are not joining the APC from a position of weakness but from a position of strength. We are bringing value to the APC in the state, we are building back a party that was once torn apart, we are supporting President Tinubu.”
Senate President Akpabio, in a goodwill message, commended Eno’s courage and assured him of support, while Uzodimma highlighted Tinubu’s leadership as a driving force for development. Eno later formalized his APC membership at his local ward.
The APC, through its National Publicity Secretary Felix Morka, described Eno’s defection as a significant boost for both the party and Akwa Ibom. The PDP, for now, has refrained from commenting but promised a future response.
