A major political realignment has occurred in Eket Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, as Hon. Ekanem Willie, former Vice Chairman of Eket LGA and a key PDP stakeholder, has officially defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) along with thousands of supporters.

The announcement was made on Thursday during the commissioning of the APC Ward Office in Okon 1, donated by Obonganwan Judith Mayen Ogbara to support the party’s grassroots mobilisation.

Hon. Willie, who resigned from the PDP two weeks earlier, said his decision was driven by a desire to contribute to the development of Akwa Ibom and Nigeria. He commended Governor Umo Eno’s achievements in education, health, and infrastructure, pledging support for his second-term bid and also for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s economic reform agenda.

The event was attended by several political figures, including Rt. Hon. Aniekan Akpan, Dr. Judith Mayen Etuk Ogbara, Engr. Akwaikukriso, Lord U. D. U. Etuk, and Elder Emmanuel Gabriel. The defection is expected to strengthen the APC’s base in Eket ahead of future elections.