Eno Evicts Channels Crew from Government House for Airing His Defection Confirmation

Akwa Ibom State Government has evicted Channels TV crew, comprising a journalist and a cameraman, from the press centre inside Government House, Uyo.

The eviction is reportedly in response to the publication of a video clip in which Governor Umo Eno confirmed his plans to defect from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The incident occurred on Saturday morning, when the Governor’s spokesperson, Ekerete Udoh, informed the Channels TV crew that they were no longer welcome at the press centre.

The crew, which includes Christopher Moffat, a veteran journalist who has been covering the Government House for over 10 years, and Kufre Ikpe, a cameraman, were told to leave the premises immediately.

The controversy began on Thursday, when Governor Eno addressed his cabinet members at a meeting inside Government House.

During the meeting, he confirmed his plans to defect to the APC and instructed his commissioners and other appointees to prepare their resignation letters if they were not willing to follow him to the new party.

“We want our commissioners and members of Exco, appointees, and those of you who are saying that you would not come, you are free absolutely not to join me, but you won’t be in my State Executive Council

“Prepare to resign the day I announced that I am moving because you cannot; you are an appointee, and your loyalty is fully to me. You can’t be in my cabinet and play anti-party. It is what it is,” Governor Eno said.

The Governor’s defection is reportedly scheduled to take place in the first week of June, and he cited the PDP leadership crisis, particularly the office of the party’s national secretary, which is plagued by protracted litigation, as the reason for his decision.

However, the Governor’s comments were not meant for public consumption, and his spokesperson, Ekerete Udoh, had warned reporters present at the meeting not to make the video of the Governor’s remarks public.

Despite this warning, Channels TV aired the video clip on Friday, which is said to have embarrassed the Governor.

Governor Eno was furious when he learned that the video had been aired, and he even considered sacking his spokesperson and disbanding the entire press corps.