Uyo, Akwa Ibom State – Following the defection of Governor Umo Eno from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), Ini Ememobong, the state’s Commissioner for Information, Special Duties, and Ibom Deep Sea Port, has resigned from the Akwa Ibom State Executive Council.
Ememobong’s resignation was conveyed in a letter dated June 6, 2025, and addressed to the governor. In it, he stated that his decision was in line with Governor Eno’s recent directive that political appointees who are unwilling to defect with him to the APC should vacate their positions.
“You have directed that any appointee who is unwilling to accompany you to switch from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress should resign,” Ememobong wrote.
“Ipso facto, based on my personal conviction, I hereby most respectfully tender my resignation as Honourable Commissioner for Special Duties and Ibom Deep Sea Port and a member of the State Executive Council.”
Governor Eno’s switch to the APC comes barely six weeks after his Delta State counterpart, Sheriff Oborevwori, made a similar move—sparking speculation of a realignment of South-South governors ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Hints of Eno’s defection first surfaced in April 2025, when he publicly declared his support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election bid during the flag-off of a 65-kilometre highway project in Nsit-Antai Local Government Area.
Two weeks ago, the governor reportedly instructed all commissioners and senior aides to either join him in the APC or resign, a directive that triggered Ememobong’s decision.
Governor Umo Eno, who was elected under the PDP in March 2023 and sworn in on May 29, 2023, has a background in banking and hospitality, and is the founder of All Nations Christian Ministry International.
With Ememobong’s resignation, political watchers are closely monitoring possible further fallout within the state executive council as the ripple effects of the governor’s defection continue.
