Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State has issued a decisive ultimatum to his commissioners and political appointees: defect with him to the All Progressives Congress (APC) or resign.
The directive came during a State Executive Council meeting held on Thursday, as captured in a video shared by Channels Television on Friday. The governor confirmed his impending defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC, citing deepening internal issues within the PDP as a key factor behind his decision.
“It’s no more news that I’m moving party. If you don’t know that by now, I don’t know what else you know,” Eno told members of his cabinet.
He emphasized that loyalty to him as the governor was paramount and made it clear that any official unwilling to align with his political transition must prepare to vacate their post.
“I am told that some of you are saying that you will not come. You are free, absolutely free, not to join me — but you won’t be in my state executive council,” he declared.
“So, you better just be prepared to resign the day I announce that I’m moving because you are an appointee and your loyalty is to me.”
Dismissing any notion that the announcement was a threat, Governor Eno stated that it was a straightforward administrative and political reality.
“You can’t be in my cabinet and play anti-party. It’s not a threat. It is what it is. I won’t beg you to come.”
Eno expressed disillusionment with the PDP’s internal disarray, especially concerning electoral processes and legal technicalities, saying he could no longer rely on the party to guarantee a seamless political future.
“I love the PDP. I want to stay in the PDP. But clearly, I don’t have a road map to guarantee that I’ll be able to have a smooth sail in the elections — not because we won’t win, but because of what happens at the national level,” he explained.
“Every day, secretary this and that… so you take your form, they send it to INEC, and then you run all the elections, perhaps win — and then lose everything on technical grounds because the wrong person signed your form.”
He added that the administration’s popularity and performance in Akwa Ibom remain strong enough to win elections, even without the backing of a major party.
“In this state today, with the work that all of us have done, even if we contest on a zero party, we will win. There’s no doubt about it.”
Governor Eno’s declaration marks a major political shift in Akwa Ibom and could signal significant realignments ahead of the next election cycle.
