Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno
– 31 LG chairmen, lawmakers also dump PDP
-Eno: I was inspired by Tinubu’s achievements to join APC
– Three commissioners quit in protest
– APC to gov: We’ll do everything to accommodate you
Akwa Ibom State Governor Umo Eno yesterday completed his switch to the All Progressives Congress (APC), three months after he first dropped hint of the move.
Completing the switch with him was a majority of State Executive Council members, members of the State House of Assembly, federal lawmakers from the state and local government chairmen.
Their mass defection is the second of such by a governor, lawmakers, commissioners and local government chairmen after the April dumping of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) by its rank and file in Delta State.
Although three of Eno’s commissioners yesterday resigned their appointments, opting to remain in the PDP, the other cabinet members and officials pledged their support for the governor, saying they were moving with him to the APC because of his visionary and exemplary leadership style.
On hand to welcome Governor Eno and the others to the APC were nine governors led by Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma who doubles as Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF).
Uzodimma said the event was not a defection but a movement.
“The people of Akwa Ibom are shifting to the progressive fold, and we welcome you warmly as you connect to the centre,” Uzodinma said.
Addressing the audience, Eno said: “It was Dalai Lama, one of the world’s most highly admired moral voices, who spoke so eloquently about change and the constancy of values.
“Dalai had advised the world to ‘Open your arms to change, but don’t let go of your values.’
“Today, fellow Akwaibomites, we are gathered here to witness change while equally affirming the constancy of our collective values and defining ethos as a state.
“For some time now, the political space, particularly in this state and the nation in general, has been awash with the news of my likely movement from the PDP, the platform that had provided the levers and ladder of my political ascendancy to the position of Governor of this State.
“The discussions have elicited various layers of analysis in the process.
“Today, I am here to answer some of those nagging questions. Like Dalai Lama had said, we should always be open to change but not let go of our shared values.
“Earlier this morning, I submitted my formal Letter of Resignation from the PDP to my Ward Chairman. Same copy was sent to both the State Chairman as well as the National Chairman.
“I have, therefore, decided to progressively move to the All Progressive Congress, the APC.
“Standing before you today, I make bold to state categorically that though I have by today’s event changed my political affiliation from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All-Progressives Congress (APC), my values, my moral fibre, the foundational principles I have nourished and lived by remain unchanged and sacrosanct.
“Why am I in the APC, you may ask? The answer is short and simple: Enlightened State Interest predicated on the need to align our State with the Centre to attract more Federal presence.
“Today, as I make this formal movement from the PDP to APC, I pledge to you again, my dear Akwaibomnites, that I will still run a bi-partisan and inclusive governance.
“Akwa Ibom State, I promise you will be a model of how to work together, pray together, aspire together, dream together and achieve together without the polarising impulses of partisan politics.
“Political parties remain vehicles for elections. I will continue to ensure that governance is done through the prism of bipartisanship.”
Eno also said he was inspired to join the APC by President Bola Tinubu’s track record of achievements over the years.
He added that as President Tinubu has displayed rare courage in confronting Nigeria’s daunting economic challenges and taking tough decisions to reset the country on the path of economic development.
“President Tinubu, GCFR, has possibly, in recent history of this Nation, faced the most daunting economic challenges of any leader.
“With boldness and deep convictions, he has faced these challenging moments head-on and come up with solutions that, though in the immediate aftermath are tough for Nigerians, but are beginning to bear long-lasting and sustainable effects.
“The removal of petrol subsidy, though a hard decision, has brought more funds to sub-national entities to pursue audacious projects that are positively affecting the lives of their people.
“Akwa Ibom State today is more of a construction site with many life-touching projects across the 31 local government areas.
“The economic fog is becoming clearer, the confidence in our economy is growing and we need to support him to finish this huge task of national re-awakening and economic renewal.
“It is a known fact that I have never hidden my admiration for the President and his patriotic devotion to national renewal which he is engendering today.
“As a young professional working in Lagos while he was the governor, I was amazed and fascinated by the manner he ran Lagos, and had, with focus and vision, raised the profile of Lagos State to become a leading sub-national in the country, while facing daunting challenges.”
He maintained that his defection to the APC was a gift to Tinubu, adding that he has absolute trust in the leadership of the APC-led federal government led by President Tinubu.
“To those who may be concerned by this Progressive movement, I want to assure you that I have received enormous assurances of support and seamless integration from our dear President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, and the Senate President, Distinguished Senator Godwill Akpabio, GCON, and the Progressive Governors’ Forum.
“Those who know our dear President will attest to the fact that his words are his bond. This movement, falling on a day that we mark Sallah, is our own gift to our President, and it has divine connotation.”
The Secretary to the State Government, Prince Enobong Uwah, on behalf of the members of the State Executive Council, pledged their unwavering support and alignment with Governor Eno following his defection to the APC.
A prominent citizen of the state, Chief Assam Assam (SAN), described the defection of the Governor and his team as a new dawn in the political history of the state and presented a common front for the sustainable development of Akwa Ibom.
The APC State Chairman Obong Stephen, Ntukekpo Local Government Chairs led by Dr. Uwemedimo Udo (Chairman of ALGON and Chairman of Uyo LGA), the State Executive Council led by the Secretary to the State Government, Prince Enobong Uwah, the State House of Assembly led by Speaker Udeme Otong, and members of the National Assembly led by Senator Ekong Sampson—all reaffirmed their support for the governor’s decision.
In a goodwill message on behalf of the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, his wife Mrs. Ekaette Unoma Akpabio praised the governor’s courage and foresight:
“Your Excellency, you mean well for your people. This decision will strengthen our state’s connection with the national leadership.”
The symbolic presentation of the APC broom by Governor Uzodinma, was the highlight of the ceremony.
He said: “You will not regret this decision to join the Progressives. We are willing, able and capable. We are happy to receive you.
“It is a home coming for you. We will support you. The President, the leader of our party, will support you. The National Assembly under the leadership of your brother, the Senate President Goodwill Akpabio will support you.
“We will support Akwa Ibom State,” Governor Uzodimma said.
Governor Uzodimma said President Tinubu’s reforms have started yielding the desired results and explained that like minds are needed to join him to turn things around completely in the country.
He said Governor Eno has proven to be one of like minds as the Progressives Governors.
Governor Uzodimma explained that Akwa Ibom would never be the same again following the decision of the Governor and the leaders of the State to link up to the national political grid, noting that “rather than interpret what happened as defection, I see it as a movement, a progressive decision.”
President Tinubu was seen in video as he watched the defection on television on his return from the Eid el Kabir prayers.
APC: It’s a significant boost to Akwa Ibom
The national leadership of the APC expressed joy at the coming of the governor and his team.
National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, said it was a significant boost to both the party and the people of Akwa Ibom.
The governor’s move, Morka said, would advance the development of the state and align with the broader goals of the APC-led federal government.
We are confident that his thoughtful decision will contribute to the greater progress of Akwa Ibom State and its people,” he said and assured the governor of its full support and cooperation as he integrates into the party.
Morka pledged APC’s preparedness to work closely with the governor to ensure a smooth transition and to deliver dividends of democracy to the people of Akwa Ibom.
At the event were Governors Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos), Lucky Aiyedatiwa (Ondo), Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), Francis Nwifuru (Ebonyi), Monday Okpebholo (Edo), Abiodun Oyebanji (Ekiti), Sheriff Oborevwori (Delta) and Bassey Otu (Cross River), Budget and Economic Planning Minister Abubakar Atiku Bagudu
APC Chairmen from neighbouring states, APC leaders including Group Capt Sam Ewang (rtd), former Deputy Governor Nsima Ekere, Sen Effiong Bob, former Minister of Petroleum and former minister Chief Don Etiebet.
Three commissioners resign
The three commissioners who resigned yesterday were Comrade Ini Ememobong, Emem Bob and Prof Emem Ibanga who manned the ministries of Special Duties/Ibom Deep Seaport, Finance, Works and Fire service respectively.
They are loyalists of the immediate past governor of the state, Udom Emmanuel.
Some lawmakers in the State House of Assembly like the member representing Onna State Constituency, Sunday Udofot Johnny, also declined to follow the governor to the APC.
Ememobong, who served two years as commissioner for information in the Eno administration before his deployment to the ministry of Special Duties and Ibom Deep seaport, said his decision was “borne out of my belief in politics with principles and my long standing opposition to that political platform.”
But he said his stance “does not affect my personal relationship with the Governor, who calls me his brother and reposed great confidence in me by saddling me with two very important ministries (Information and Special Duties & Ibom Deep Sea Port).”
He added: “I have and will continue to have tremendous respect for HE Governor Umo Eno, even out of EXCO.”
Delta State Governor Oborevwori, his immediate predecessor Ifeanyi Okowa and other heavyweights of PDP in the state had also dumped the party in April to join the APC.
Vice President Kassim Shettima who received the defectors said on the occasion in Asaba that the APC, since its formation in 2013, has “been both the dream and the drama of Nigerian democracy.
“So many predictions have been written about us as though we were an experiment doomed to fail.”
He credited the party’s longevity to its collaborative approach, observing that “dialogue, not dictation, has been our shield against disintegration,” just as he said there was no way the party could have survived this long without listening to one another.
The Nation
