Akwa Ibom Governor Umo Eno Welcomed Into APC With Assurances From President Tinubu.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has warmly welcomed Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, into the All Progressives Congress (APC), assuring him that his decision to defect from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will bring substantial benefits to both him and the people of Akwa Ibom. The grand reception, held on Saturday at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, marked a historic moment for the state’s political landscape.
Represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, President Tinubu described Governor Eno’s move as a bold and progressive step, emphasising the APC’s commitment to unity and development. “We are here because we believe in building bridges, not walls, and in mending fences, not erecting new ones,” Shettima stated, conveying Tinubu’s personal assurance to Eno. “Mr President asked me to assure you personally: No one will question your place here. This party is your home. You will not be humiliated. You will not be forsaken. We are your brothers and sisters in the high tides and the low ebbs. We rise together.”
The event, attended by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, APC National Chairman Abdullahi Ganduje, and at least 24 APC governors, underscored the party’s growing influence in the South-South region. Akpabio, a former governor of Akwa Ibom, hailed Eno’s defection as an act of “political maturity” that prioritises the state’s development over party lines. He expressed optimism that the move signals a broader alignment of South-South states with the APC, predicting that Rivers and Bayelsa might follow suit. “Come 2027, the South-South will vote for President Bola Tinubu,” Akpabio declared, pledging support for key infrastructure projects, including the long-sought Ibom Deep Seaport.
Governor Eno, who officially announced his defection to the APC on 6 June 2025, explained that his decision was driven by a desire to align with the federal government and support President Tinubu’s economic reform initiatives. A key motivation for his move was the prospect of realising the Ibom Deep Seaport, a project he described as critical for Akwa Ibom’s economic growth. “We are not afraid to join the APC, as we know that with our new party, we will realise our Ibom Deep Seaport,” Eno said. “Akwa Ibom has a 19.1m deep port, and we don’t even need to dredge. Even if it is one terminal, this movement would have been justified.”
Eno reaffirmed his commitment to the ARISE Agenda, his administration’s social contract with the people of Akwa Ibom, assuring residents that he would remain a governor for all, regardless of political affiliation. “We have joined the APC to support our son, the Senate President, and to deliver President Tinubu in 2027,” he declared, calling for unity within the party to ensure progress.
APC National Chairman Abdullahi Ganduje described Eno’s defection as a transition from “national political isolation to political relevance,” noting that the growing number of South-South governors joining the APC reflects the inclusivity of Tinubu’s policies. Ganduje assured Eno that the federal government would prioritise programmes to address environmental challenges and create employment opportunities for youths in the region.
The reception was a vibrant display of political unity, with governors from Delta, Lagos, Cross River, Imo, Ebonyi, Kogi, Kebbi, Ekiti, Ondo, Edo, Kwara, and Gombe in attendance, alongside thousands of APC supporters. The event highlighted the APC’s ambition to consolidate its influence in the South-South ahead of the 2027 elections, with Akpabio boldly predicting a near-unanimous vote for Tinubu in the region.
As Akwa Ibom aligns with the ruling party, the focus now shifts to the promised federal support for key projects like the Ibom Deep Seaport, which could transform the state’s economy and create new opportunities for its people. For Governor Eno, this move represents a strategic alignment with the centre, one that he believes will yield significant dividends for Akwa Ibom.
This development marks a new chapter in Akwa Ibom’s political journey, with the APC positioning itself as a unifying force for progress and development in the region.