By Deborah Nnamdi
Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has instructed all commissioners and political appointees in his administration to either follow him in defecting to the All Progressives Congress (APC) or step down from their roles.
The directive was reportedly delivered during a State Executive Council (EXCO) meeting held on Thursday, where the governor officially announced his departure from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to join the APC.
According to sources at the meeting, Governor Eno emphasized that his move should not come as a surprise to members of his cabinet, stating:
“Anybody who claims he is not aware of my intention to leave the PDP is still living in the 18th century,” he said.
He stated that his decision to join the APC was influenced by his respect for President Bola Tinubu’s leadership style and his desire to collaborate more closely with the Federal Government.
The governor firmly warned his appointees, stressing that he has “nothing to negotiate” with those unwilling to align with his political stance.
“Apart from elected officials like House of Assembly members and Local Government Chairmen, I have nothing to negotiate with you,” Eno declared.
“Let me tell you, anybody who believes that when I leave the PDP, he will use the party structure to fight me is lying because I will still control the PDP structure.”
At the time this report was filed, the State Executive Council meeting was still ongoing, with additional developments anticipated in the coming hours.
