BY TONY UDOKA

The Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Umo Eno, has officially defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), marking a major political development in the South-South region.

The announcement was made on Friday at the Government House in Uyo, where Eno confirmed his switch to the ruling party after what he described as “three months of wide consultations” with stakeholders across the state.

He expressed gratitude to the PDP for its support since the beginning of his tenure, but explained that it was time for a new direction.

“After completing the rounds of my consultation as your servant whom you have elected to serve, I have therefore decided to progressively move to the APC,” he declared.

The governor attributed his decision to a desire to align Akwa Ibom with the federal government and his admiration for President Bola Tinubu and Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

“We’re joining the APC today in the state interest and because of our critical admiration and respect for President Tinubu and to provide the needed support for Senate President, Godswill Akpabio.

“We are not joining the APC from the position of weakness but from the position of strength and alive. We are joining the APC out of a need to align our state with the centre.”

Governor Eno also reassured Akwa Ibom residents that his administration’s commitment to good governance remains unchanged and will be extended to all citizens, irrespective of party affiliation.

The defection event drew a high-profile crowd of APC leaders, including Hope Uzodimma (Chairman of the Progressives Governors Forum and Governor of Imo State), Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos), Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), Sheriff Oborevwori (Delta), Francis Nwifuru (Ebonyi), Lucky Aiyedatiwa (Ondo), and Bassey Otu (Cross River), among others.