Unusual Quiet in Akwa Ibom as Governor Eno’s Defection to APC Looms
A deep and unusual silence has taken over the political landscape of Akwa Ibom State amid intensifying speculation that Governor Umo Eno may be preparing to defect from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
While no official confirmation has been made, recent political events and shifts in alliances are fueling talk of an imminent realignment.
The atmosphere in the state is markedly subdued for a region known for its vocal and often animated political debates. Governor Eno, who rose to office under the PDP platform, has found himself at the center of a political storm following a high-profile visit to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
He was accompanied by Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Governor Udom Emmanuel during the visit, alongside over 100 traditional, political, and religious leaders from Akwa Ibom.
The meeting with President Tinubu, though described as development-focused, is widely interpreted as laying the groundwork for a possible defection.
Sources close to the governor say informal consultations with APC leadership figures have been ongoing. Although the governor has repeatedly dismissed the idea of leaving the PDP, the consistent pattern of cross-party gestures, cabinet shake-ups, and overtures to the federal government suggest a larger political calculation may be underway.
Governor Eno recently dissolved his cabinet in what was officially presented as a restructuring effort. However, critics view the move as a strategy to reposition politically and make room for figures aligned with the APC.
The appointment of commissioners and aides perceived to have APC sympathies has only strengthened this view. Some APC leaders have welcomed the potential realignment as a strategic victory, while others remain cautious about absorbing a sitting governor with deep PDP roots.
Despite the political signals, Governor Eno has continued to publicly affirm his loyalty to the PDP. Speaking at a recent function, he said, “I am a PDP person. I am working for the PDP, and as a state, we will continue to support the party. But we must differentiate between party issues and governance.” However, these reassurances have done little to calm growing speculation, especially as the governor continues to back national policies of the APC-led federal government.
Observers note that the governor’s openness to waive his constitutional immunity to face any probe is seen as both a gesture of transparency and a signal to those in the APC that he is ready to engage on new political terms. The development has not only unsettled PDP loyalists but has also sparked internal debates within the APC over how to integrate a sitting governor from a rival party.
Akwa Ibom has long been a PDP stronghold and a potential defection by its sitting governor would deliver a significant blow to the party’s structure in the South-South region. So far, the PDP leadership has remained largely silent, leading to speculation that high-level negotiations may be ongoing behind the scenes to manage the fallout or prevent it altogether.
Political analysts say the unfolding situation in Akwa Ibom could mark one of the most significant political shifts in Nigeria ahead of the 2027 general elections. While Governor Eno continues to walk a tightrope between party loyalty and strategic cooperation with the federal government, the quiet in Akwa Ibom speaks volumes. If the speculation proves accurate, the silence may soon give way to a seismic political shake-up with national consequences
