Akwa Ibom in subdued excitement as governor Eno lowers PDP’s flag in defection Friday

Gov Eno with Cross River state counterpart

Imo state Gov, Hope Uzodimma just arriving

Uyo, the capital city of Akwa Ibom State is currently experiencing an upbeat as state governors of the All Progressives Congress, APC, and other party chieftans arrived the state as Governor Umo Eno lowers the Peoples Democratic Party’s flag to be replaced with that of the APC.

Sources from the state indicated that sounds of blaring siren and noise of aircrafts have surged since in the morning.

Ahead of the anticipated defection from the PDP today, Friday, June 6, 2025, the governor has been receiving high calibre APC members from across the country.

Among those who arrived at the Akwa Ibom Government House in Uyo were His Excellency, Senator Prince Bassey Otu, Governor of Cross River State, and Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State, who also serves as Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum. Other top APC leaders are expected to arrive en masse to receive the governor into the ruling party.

The development has thrown Akwa Ibom’s political establishment into an upbeat amidst unease calmness with many PDP stakeholders maintaining a noticeable silence.

Sources close to the party say the leadership has been blindsided by the speed and certainty of the defection.

Prominent PDP figures, including party elders, ex-officeholders, and political appointees, have so far withheld public comments, signifying speculation of internal dissatisfaction and quiet resentment.

Governor Eno’s defection comes amid mounting tension in his political camp.

Reports indicate that several aides—including Special Assistants (SAs), Senior Special Assistants (SSAs), and Personal Assistants (PAs)—are unlikely to cross over with him to the APC.

The move is said to have unsettled the PDP’s 2027 election preparations and may complicate long-standing zoning and power rotation arrangements within the state.

This shift has also not gone down well with many local politicians who feel betrayed by the sudden change.

Eno’s defection will further weaken the PDP’s grip nationwide, reducing its control to just ten states: Adamawa, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Enugu, Osun, Oyo, Plateau, Rivers, Taraba, and Zamfara.