Politics
Eno’s Defection: Collaborate With PDP Defectors, Akpabio Urges APC Members
Ahead of the scheduled mega reception ceremony for Governor Umo Eno into the All Progrssives Congress (APC), Senate President Godswill Akpabio has called on stakeholders and members of the party in Akwa Ibom State to collaborate with other members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that are willing to join the ruling party.
Addressing APC stakeholders from the 31 local government areas of the state in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital, on Wednesday, Sen. Akpabio assured that the proposed political alignment would attract significant federal interventions to Akwa Ibom State, aimed at improving the welfare of the people and accelerating development of the state.
A statement by the Special Assistant on Media to the Senate President, Jackson Udom said, “Let me assure us all that the current political alignment will attract significant federal interventions to Akwa Ibom, aimed at improving the welfare and development of our people.
“Governor Umo after serious consultation with all stakeholders declared that there was need for us in the State to support our son, and also support the President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for finding an Akwa Ibom son of worth to be the Number three citizen of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“But now it is time for the whole State to follow him because he has done wide consultation from traditional rulers to the political class across all political parties.
“And I must inform you that it is not only the Governor and the PDP that will join us, all other political parties are going to join us. So, for the first time in the history of Akwa Ibom State, we are most likely going to have a rancour free election”.
“There is no need for internal squabbles and wrangling. APC is big enough to accommodate everyone and that is what the new alignment comes with.
“Being linked to the centre comes with a lot of federal presence in terms of projects and human capital development. What we want from party members, both old and new, is to be united and remain peaceful in the overall interest of our dear state’’, the statement added.
Also speaking, the State APC Chairman, Obong Stephen Ntukekpo, thanked the Senate President for his unwavering support to the party and his commitment to the vision for a united Akwa Ibom State.
Speaking for Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District, former Petroleum Minister, Atuekong Don Etiebet, said it was evident that God has worked through Senator Akpabio to unite the people of Akwa Ibom State under one political platform, the APC.
Atuekong Etiebet said the people of Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District were in full support of the grand reception for Governor Eno and other defecting members of the PDP.
On his part, Elder Statesman and former State Chairman of the PDP, Arc Otu Ita Toyo, said the unification of political parties in the State was of great importance to the people of Eket Senatorial District, hence the need for them to support the call by Sen. Akpabio for total harmonization of political parties in the State.
The APC leader of Uyo Senatorial District and former Military Administrator of Ogun and Rivers States, Group Captain Sam Ewang (rtd), said being in the opposition in the State had caused members of the APC severe hardship in the past.
Group Capt. Ewang said, with the defection of the governor and other key stakeholders, he anticipated a brighter future for members of the party in the State.
APC stakeholders in the three senatorial districts pledged their willingness to work together with former PDP members to achieve lasting political harmony in the state.
Meanwhile, Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, APC governors, National Chairman of the party, Alhaji Ganduje and other chieftains are expected to formally receive the Akwa Ibom Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, into the APC on Saturday, June 21, 2025.
The occasion, which is scheduled to hold at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo, at 12 noon, comes up two weeks after Governor Eno announced his defection from PDP to APC.
The former two-term governor went down memory lane to recall how they founded the APC but were used and dumped.
In his words, “…those calling on us to join APC, we have agreed to join the APC but on clear agreement that protects and respects the interest of my party, NNPP and my political movement, Kwankwasiyya. No state where you go that you don’t have NNPP and Kwankwasiyya. We have gubernatorial candidates, senatorial candidates and others.
“We are ready to join APC under strong conditions and promises. We will not allow anyone to use us and later dump us.
“We were among the founding fathers of the APC and endured significant persecution from various security agencies while challenging the previous administration.
“Yet when the party assumed power, we received no recognition or appreciation for our sacrifices, simply because we didn’t originate from their original faction.
“We are not in a hurry to leave the NNPP; we are enjoying and have peace of mind. But if some want a political alliance that would not disappoint us like in the past, we are open to an alliance. Even if it is the PDP that realised their mistakes, let’s enter an agreement that will be made public,” Sen. Kwankwaso stated.
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has dismissed long-standing claims that he once sought to extend his tenure in office, insisting he never pursued a third term.
Speaking at the Democracy Dialogue organised by the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation in Accra, Ghana, Chief Obasanjo said there is no Nigerian, living or dead, who can truthfully claim he solicited support for a third term agenda.
“I’m not a fool. If I wanted a third term, I know how to go about it. And there is no Nigerian, dead or alive, that would say I called him and told him I wanted a third term,” the former president declared.
Chief Obasanjo argued that he had proven his ability to secure difficult national goals, citing Nigeria’s debt relief during his administration as a much greater challenge than any third term ambition.
“I keep telling them that if I could get debt relief, which was more difficult than getting a third term, then if I wanted a third term, I would have got it too,” he said.
He further cautioned against leaders who overstay in power, stressing that the belief in one’s indispensability is a “sin against God.”
On his part, former President Goodluck Jonathan said any leader who failed to perform would be voted out of office if proper elections were conducted.
Describing electoral manipulation as one of the biggest threats to democracy in Africa, he said unless stakeholders come together to rethink and reform democracy, it may collapse in Africa.
He added that leaders must commit to the kind of democracy that guarantees a great future for the children where their voices matter.
He said: “Democracy in Africa continent is going through a period of strain and risk collapse unless stakeholders came together to rethink and reform it. Electoral manipulation remains one of the biggest threats in Africa.
“We in Africa must begin to look at our democracy and rethink it in a way that works well for us and our people. One of the problems is our electoral system. People manipulate the process to remain in power by all means.
“If we had proper elections, a leader who fails to perform would be voted out. But in our case, people use the system to perpetuate themselves even when the people don’t want them.
“Our people want to enjoy their freedoms. They want their votes to count during elections. They want equitable representation and inclusivity. They want good education. Our people want security. They want access to good healthcare. They want jobs. They want dignity. When leaders fail to meet these basic needs, the people become disillusioned.”
The dialogue was also attended by the President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr. Omar Touray, Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah of the Sokoto diocese of Catholic Church among others who all stressed that democracy in Africa must go beyond elections to include accountability, service, and discipline.
The Rivers State House of Assembly yesterday resumed plenary session after a six-month state of emergency imposed on the state by President Bola Tinubu elapsed on Wednesday midnight.
President Bola Tinubu had lifted the emergency rule on September 17, with the Governor of the state, Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Ngozi Odu, and members of the state assembly asked to resume duties on September 18.
The plenary was presided over by the Speaker of the House, Martins Amaewhule, at the conference hall located within the legislative quarters in Port Harcourt, the state capital.
The conference hall has served as the lawmakers’ temporary chamber since their official chamber at the assembly complex on Moscow Road was torched and later pulled down by the state government.
The outgone sole administrator of the state, Ibok-Ete Ibas, could not complete the reconstruction of the assembly complex as promised.
Recall that on March 18, President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers following the prolonged political standoff between Fubara and members of the House of Assembly loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
He subsequently suspended the governor, his deputy, Ngozi Odu, and lawmakers for six months and installed a sole administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd.), to manage the state’s affairs.
The decision sparked widespread controversy, with critics accusing the president of breaching the Constitution.
However, others hailed the move as a necessary and pragmatic step.
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