•Governor Umo Eno
In what has been described as a landmark political movement, Akwa Ibom State governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has led members of the State Executive Council, National Assembly members, State House of Assembly members, local government chairmen and other stakeholders in the Akwa Ibom political space to join the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Speaking at the well attended event held at Banquet Hall, Government House, Uyo, on Friday, June 6, 2025, the governor said the movement was expedient to link the state to the centre and benefit from numerous development initiatives of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led federal government.
He said the state has, under his leadership, been inclusive with a focus on the ARISE Agenda, stressing that he has only changed his political party, but his values and commitment to good governance remain unchanged.
“Today, fellow Akwa Ibomites, we are gathered here to witness change while equally affirming the constancy of our collective values and defining ethos as a state.
“Like the Dalai Lama had said, we should always be open to change but not let go of our shared values.
“Earlier this morning, I submitted my formal letter of resignation from the PDP to my Ward chairman, same copy was sent to both the state chairman as well as the national chairman. I have therefore, decided to progressively move to the All Progressive Congress, the (APC).
“Standing before you today, I make bold to state categorically that, though I have, by today’s event, changed my political affiliation from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All-Progressives Congress (APC), my values, my moral fibre, the foundational principles I have nourished and lived by remain unchanged and sacrosanct,” he said.
Governor Eno said the decision to join the APC is predicated on enlightened state interest on the need to align the state with the Centre to attract more federal presence.
He reiterated his support for President Tinubu, and President of the 10th Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, and called on Akwa Ibom people to support them to victory in the 2027 election.
He said President Tinubu has faced daunting economic challenges, and has come up with solutions that will have long-lasting and sustainable effects.
“The removal of petrol subsidy, though a hard decision, has brought more funds to sub-national entities to pursue audacious projects that are positively affecting the lives of their people. Akwa Ibom State today, is more of a construction site with many life-touching projects across the local government areas. The economic fog is becoming clearer, the confidence in our economy is growing and we need to support him to finish this huge task of national re-awakening and economic renewal.
Speaking further, he said, “It is a known fact that I have never hidden my admiration for the president and his patriotic devotion to national renewal which he is engendering today.”
The governor further assured the state of his commitment to an all inclusive government saying, “I have always said I will work for the unity of our state by running a bipartisan administration. This has been a well-thought-out position that was so eloquently stated in my Inaugural Speech on May 29, 2023.
“Today, as I make this formal movement from the PDP to APC, I pledge to you again, my dear Akwa Ibomites, that I will still run a bipartisan and inclusive governance. Akwa Ibom State, I promise you will be a model of how to work together, pray together, aspire together, dream together and achieve together without the polarising impulses of partisan politics.Political parties remain vehicles for elections. I will continue to ensure that governance is done through the prism of bipartisanship,” he added.
In their separate remarks, the Secretary to the State Government, Prince Enobong Uwah, on behalf of the State Executive Council, Senator Ekong Sampson, on behalf of the National Assembly, Rt Hon Udeme Otong, for members of the State House of Assembly, and Dr. Uwemedimo Udo, for local government chairmen, declared their support for the governor and their collective decision to move along with him to the APC given his laudable leadership strides and the golden footprints he has left on the sands of the state within two years.
State Chairman of the APC, Obong Stephen Ntukpekpo, who formally recieved the governor, appreciated him for his courageous and laudable decision, and assured of their support for him and the ARISE Agenda.
Speaking on behalf of the Progressive governors, Chairman of the APC Governors Forum, Governor Hope Uzodimma, said they were delighted to recieve Governor Umo Eno into their fold.
On his part, Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, who was represented by the wife, Dr (Mrs) Ekaette Unoma Akpabio, expressed delight at having the governor, whom he described as a God-fearing and people-centric leader, in the progressive family, and assured of his support and that of President Tinubu to enable him succeed on the ARISE Agenda.
