10 Lawmakers from Akwa Ibom Join APC with Governor Umo Eno



Ten National Assembly members from Akwa Ibom State, who were elected under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Young Peoples Party (YPP), have decided to join Governor Umo Eno in moving to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

They are joining two senators—Neda Imasuen from Edo and Ahmed Wadada from Nasarawa—who also plan to leave their parties and join the APC.

This move comes as the APC continues to attract politicians from other parties, even while some critics say the party is trying to make Nigeria a one-party state.

Some of the lawmakers from Akwa Ibom confirmed they are switching to APC but said they want to follow proper procedures first before making it official.

The APC’s South-East National Vice Chairman, Dr. Ijeoma Arodiogbu, confirmed that the lawmakers are planning to join the APC.

The lawmakers joining the APC include:

  • Senators Ekong Sampson and Aniekan Bassey

  • House of Reps members: Okpolupm Etteh, Paul Asuquo, Alphonsus Uduak, Ime Bassey, Martins Esin, Unyime Idem, and Mark Esset

  • Emmanuel Ukpongudo from the YPP is also joining them.

This comes shortly after Governor Umo Eno officially left the PDP and joined the APC last Friday. He said he made the decision after speaking with many people across the state for three months. He explained that he wanted to align Akwa Ibom with the government at the federal level.

Eno’s move follows a similar step by Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, who also left the PDP for the APC in April.

Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State led the APC team that welcomed Eno. A video on APC’s official page showed President Bola Tinubu watching the event, showing his interest as the party looks ahead to the 2027 elections.

At a gathering in Uyo, Governor Eno said, “I have decided to move to the APC. Our government will continue to be inclusive.”

He said he had already sent his resignation letter to the PDP leadership at both state and national levels.

However, unlike the Delta governor who moved with the full PDP structure in his state, Eno could only convince some National Assembly members and a few aides to join him. Three of his commissioners quit instead of defecting.

His predecessor, Udom Emmanuel, did not attend the event and has made it clear he will remain with the PDP.

One lawmaker said they joined Governor Eno by choice, not because of any pressure. “All the PDP lawmakers from Akwa Ibom, and one from YPP, moved with the governor on June 6,” he said.

An aide said their defection letters will be read in the National Assembly when lawmakers resume on June 17. “They’ve made up their minds to join the APC,” the aide said.

Also, Senator Neda Imasuen from Edo State said he would leave the Labour Party and join the APC on June 12. He said the Labour Party is in disarray and he wants to align with the federal government to bring development to his people.

Senator Ahmed Wadada from Nasarawa West is also planning to join the APC. He is leaving the Social Democratic Party (SDP) after disagreeing with former Governor Nasir el-Rufai, who recently joined the SDP. Wadada said the party no longer fits his beliefs.

An insider said Wadada is likely to join the APC soon, even though he hasn’t made it public yet.

Dr. Arodiogbu from the APC said nearly all Akwa Ibom State Assembly members are also planning to join the APC, except for a few who are still unsure.

He added that more PDP governors may soon join the APC, mentioning that talks are ongoing in Adamawa, Plateau, Osun, and Bayelsa states.

Arodiogbu said no one was forced to defect. According to him, people are joining the APC because they believe in President Tinubu’s leadership and vision.

With Eno’s move, APC now has 23 governors across Nigeria. PDP has 10, while the APGA, Labour Party, and NNPP each have one governor.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

NDPHC Director Urges Reforms and Partnerships to Bridge Infrastructure Gap

Image
The Executive Director of Corporate Services at the Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC), Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama, has called for integrated planning, policy reforms, and strong collaboration between the government and private sector to tackle Nigeria’s infrastructure challenges. He made the call on Saturday during the 8th Late Engr. Geoffrey Aiwerioba Public Lecture Series, hosted by the Benin branch of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) in Benin City. Ogbeide-Ihama praised the Edo State Government under Governor Monday Okpebholo for ongoing infrastructure projects and encouraged stakeholders, including the NSE, to work with the government to close the infrastructure gap. > “With joint efforts, Edo State and Nigeria can achieve lasting development and a better future for citizens,” he said. --- Electricity Act 2023: A Tool for Growth He urged state governments—especially Edo—to take advantage of the Electricity Act 2023, which now allows states to generate, transmit, and d...
Read more

Senate to Hold Nationwide Public Hearings on Constitution Review July 4–5

Image
The Senate Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution has announced plans to hold two-day public hearings across Nigeria’s six geo-political zones on July 4 and 5, 2025. The hearings are part of a major national consultation to allow Nigerians share their opinions on key issues that will shape the country’s future. According to a statement by Ismail Mudashir, spokesperson for Senator Barau Jibrin, who chairs the committee and serves as Deputy Senate President, the hearings will take place in: Lagos (South West) Enugu (South East) Ikot Ekpene (South South) Jos (North Central) Maiduguri (North East) Kano (North West) Senator Barau urged Nigerians to actively participate, describing the exercise as a crucial step in strengthening democracy. > “This is a critical moment. We want every Nigerian’s voice to be heard in shaping a Constitution that truly reflects the people’s will,” he said. --- What’s Up for Discussion? Over 50 proposals will be reviewed, including: 🏛️ Local Governme...
Read more

Tinubu Hands Over ECOWAS Leadership to Sierra Leone’s President Bio

Image
  President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has officially ended his two-year tenure as Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, handing over the role to President Julius Maada Bio of Sierra Leone. The handover took place on Sunday in Abuja during the 67th Ordinary Session of the Authority, where Tinubu symbolically presented the ECOWAS Emblem to the incoming Chair. Reflecting on his time in office, Tinubu described it as a deep honour and privilege to have led ECOWAS since July 2023. He thanked fellow West African leaders for their trust and support throughout his tenure. > “As I hand over to my great friend and brother, President Julius Maada Bio, I do so with a sense of fulfilment and hope for the future of West Africa,” Tinubu said. Focus on Peace, Unity, and Progress President Tinubu expressed confidence that ECOWAS will continue to move forward in its mission of achieving peace, stability, and prosperity across the region. He urged member states to stay united ...
Read more