By OBSERVERS TIMES.
Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has reportedly issued a directive to all commissioners and political appointees in his cabinet: either defect with him to the All Progressives Congress (APC) or tender their resignations.
The sweeping directive was reportedly delivered during an ongoing State Executive Council (EXCO) meeting this Thursday, where Governor Eno openly confirmed his decision to leave the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) for the APC.
Sources present at the high-stakes meeting revealed that Governor Eno made it unequivocally clear that his defection should not surprise any of his appointees. “Anybody who claims he is not aware of my intention to leave the PDP is still living in the 18th century,” he was quoted as saying.
The Governor explained that his decision to align with the APC is primarily driven by his admiration for the leadership style of President Bola Tinubu and his desire to foster closer working relationships with the Federal Government.
Governor Eno delivered a stern warning to his appointees, stating that he has “nothing to negotiate” with anyone unwilling to follow his political direction. “Apart from elected officials like House of Assembly members and Local Government Chairmen, I have nothing to negotiate with you,” Governor Eno declared, emphasizing his control over the state’s political landscape.
He further asserted his continued influence within his former party, stating, “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.”
As of the time of this report, the State Executive Council meeting was still in session, and further developments regarding potential resignations or defections are anticipated in the coming hours.
