Akwa Ibom: Ex-Gov Emmanuel Applauds Tinubu’s Reforms

Former governor of Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Mr Udom Emmanuel, has given indication that opposition politics was antithetical to peace, development and unity of the country, and therefore, rallied Nigerians to be in one accord to ensure President Bola Tinubu’s  reforms were not derailed.

Emmanuel, had played strict opposition politics for eight years as Akwa Ibom governor under late President Muhammadu Buhari’s federal government till date, and observers say this may be a prelude to dumping the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as he  has, for the first in over 10 years, openly endorsed the policies of the “Progressives” government.

The former governor had during a Church event,  urged  Nigerians to ignore all biases and massively support President Bola Tinubu, to solve the socio-economic and security challenges facing the country.

Recall that the former governor, an ardent PDP stakeholder, featured prominently at the last month’s PDP National Convention in Ibadan, Oyo State.

According to his media aide, Stephen Abia, he stated this at an interactive session with newsmen at the Pre-Service of Nine Lessons and Carol, held at the United Evangelical Church, Surulere, Lagos, on Sunday.

He quoted his boss as having rallied that all hands must be on deck in massively providing required support for the President to solve the security and other socio – economic challenges facing the country.

Abia noted that the former governor as a patriotic statesman, used the Church forum to appeal to Nigerians across ethnic, party and religious divides, reminding them of the need to “come together at this moment of our national life to support the President in solving the problems that can plunge our nation into crisis.”

“This is not the time to dwell on factors that create divisions, the issues that expand the frontiers of our disagreements and further undermine our national unity.

“Rather, as a people, we must pull together to confront our common enemies by giving every necessary support to President Tinubu to enable him face the challenges that are militating against the Progressives Movement upon which he has set our nation,” Abia re-echoed former governor Emmanuel’s rhetorics at the event.

LEADERSHIP investigation revealed that negotiations were at the advanced stages for the former governor to accept the call from his political godson, governor Umo Eno, to join him in the APC he defected to since June 6, 2025, for more dividends of democracy from the centre in Akwa Ibom.

Besides, ahead of the 2027 general elections, sources told our Correspondent that the former governor’s planned defection, was to facilitate his ambition of seeking for the Senatorial ticket of Akwa Ibom South Senatorial District currently being occupied by Senator Ekong Sampson.