Defection: Opposition Politics No Longer Fashionable In Akwa Ibom

Akwa Ibom State governor, Pastor Umo Eno has commended the citizens of the state for their deep sense of unity, commitment, and sacrifice toward meaningful growth and progress. He assured that his defection was a strategic exigency to align with the centre for more federal presence in the state.

He noted that the state’s opposition stance since the central government in Abuja took over the country in 2015 has become a major disincentive to the oil-rich state, the major reason behind the decision.

LEADERSHIP checks revealed that the state had been a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) enclave since the return of democracy in 1999 until Governor Eno’s decision on June 6, 2025, to reroute the state to the centre.

“Let us all toe the path of our alignment with the government in power for our own good rather than being outside the government as opposition, to our detriment,” he told the people of the state.

The governor made the declaration over the weekend at the end of a three-day Prayer Summit held at the International Christian Worship Centre, Uyo, to usher his administration into its third year in office under the new political party platform—the All Progressives Congress (APC).

“For coming out in good numbers for us to gather here for three days as a state to pray and hand over to God the commencement of the affairs of our third year in office, I am most grateful.

“This is indeed the spirit of a united Akwa Ibom which we have greatly utilized to pray for the peace and prosperity of our state. What we mostly needed is peace, and peace can only happen where there is unity – unity of purpose. For us in government, we will continue to stay united to pursue an excellent accomplishment of the ARISE Agenda; that is what is the most important.

“We have received all the prayers and all the prophetic words that God has declared upon our state that, by His grace, nations will come to the brightness of the light of Akwa Ibom State,” He Admonished.

The governor assured that the state would continue to pray and work for a conducive and peaceful environment for nations to come, as, according to him, “nations would only go to where there is peace and comfort.”

Therefore, he enjoined citizens and residents to continue to live and work in peace and unity despite the recent political change.

“Let us not take God’s blessings in this part of the country for granted. Let us continue to pray for peace in our land and work in unity for the good of our people and our State.

“Let us respect each other’s opinions. Let us ensure that our state grows positively as a united Akwa Ibom where great things take place for others to learn from.

“I strongly pray and believe that at the end of it all, we would all thank God that our common decision to move the state forward was truly worthwhile and rewarding,” he stressed.