Akwa Ibom State governor, Pastor Umo Eno, on Friday, defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) from the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
However, three commissioners refused to follow their principal to the APC and subsequently resigned. They are Eno Ibanga (Works), Ini Ememobong, (Special Duties and Ibom Deep Sea) and Emem Almond Bob (Finance).
Eno in his defection speech said he dumped PDP to connect the state to national politics.
The governor, in the presence of Hope Uzodimma, Imo State governor and chairman, APC Governors Forum, defected to APC at the Banquet Hall of Akwa Ibom Government House, Uyo.
In attendance was the governor of Cross River State, Prince Bassey Otu, and wife of Senate President, Unoma Ekaette Akpabio.
“Today, fellow Akwa Ibomites, 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 the 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 (APC),” Eno stated.
The governor later proceeded to register in the party at Obotim Ward in Nsit Ubium Local Government Area of the state, where he completed defection formalities from PDP to APC.
