As the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) continues to bleed away its key states and members non-stop, the Akwa Ibom Governor Umo Eno has yet again openly hinted at dumping the opposition party and defect to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
This development comes on the heels of Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s switch of allegiance from the PDP to the APC in a dramatic turn of events set to shake Nigeria’s political landscape ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Addressing a mammoth crowd that thronged the Town Square meeting of the Ukanafun/Oruk Anam federal constituency on Tuesday at the QIC Central School, Ikot Akpankuk, headquarters of Ukanafun local government area, the Akwa Ibom governor disclosed that he might join the ongoing mass exodus from PDP soon as the crucial 2027 election year inches closer.
Eno expressed his concerns about the PDP, comparing it to a “faulty aircraft” which he said he feels is unable to carry him safely to his political goals in 2027.
The Akwa Ibom Governor, in his address, also suggested that the APC offers a more stable platform for his ambitions in 2027.
He stated: “If you wanted to travel with Ibom Airline, and on the verge of taking off, it developed a fault that won’t enable it to fly, won’t you board the next available plane to take you to your destination?
“We need to meet with the people from time to time to see them. It’s not only during elections that we should come to see our people. We also have to come and see you in the course of governance to check your well-being, to listen to you, and to tell you what we have done and what we are planning to do.
“This is the fourth federal constituency we have visited. We have six more to go, and we will finish all in time for the budget department to capture the needs in the 2026 budget.
“We will go through your requests and tell you the ones we have decided to do, based on available funds. We might not be able to do all, but whatever is left we will add to subsequent budgets.”
Pan-Atlantic Kompass reports that should Eno’s defection follow through he would be the first Governor of Akwa Ibom State to dump the PDP while in power.
It would also be the first time Akwa Ibom is not controlled by the PDP since 1999 when Nigeria returned to democratic rule.
The timing of Eno’s announcement also comes shortly after Oborevwori’s tsunami-like defection to the APC.
Oborevwori, alongside his political mentor, former Delta Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, joined the ruling party last week, citing the need for alignment with President Bola Tinubu’s administration to secure development for Delta State.
Just like Akwa Ibom State, this is the first time APC is controlling Delta State since 1999.
This means Eno’s potential defection could cause huge damage to the PDP, given Akwa Ibom’s status as a traditional PDP stronghold.
The state has consistently delivered significant votes for the party in past elections.
It also means the PDP could go into the 2027 general elections without a firm grip on so many South-South states.
On the other hand, it appears the APC, despite its many sins since gaining power in 2015, is capitalizing on PDP’s turmoil, positioning itself as the inevitable choice for high-profile politicians as the PDP seems to not have a clue on the way out of the political quandary besetting its very foundations.
