Akwa Ibom State is currently abuzz with political tension as Governor Pastor Umo Eno has issued a stark ultimatum to his cabinet members: either defect with him to the All Progressives Congress (APC) or tender their resignations.
This directive, reported by Vanguard, signals a significant shift in the state’s political landscape and has sent ripples through the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), from which Governor Eno was elected.
The governor’s mandate applies to all commissioners, special advisers, and other political appointees within his administration. This move suggests a planned and imminent defection by Governor Eno himself to the APC, a development that would undoubtedly reshape the power dynamics in Akwa Ibom State, a traditional stronghold of the PDP.
Sources indicate that the governor’s decision is aimed at consolidating his political base ahead of future elections and aligning the state with the ruling party at the federal level. Such a defection, if it materializes, would be a major blow to the PDP, potentially weakening its influence in the South-South region.
The coming days are expected to reveal how many of the affected appointees will choose to switch allegiance to the APC and how many will opt to resign, a decision that carries significant career implications for them. This directive from Governor Eno marks a critical juncture in Akwa Ibom’s political trajectory, potentially ushering in a new era of party alignment and governance in the state.