The special assistant (SA) to the Akwa Ibom State governor on Grassroots Mobilisation, Dr Ephraim Okon, has noted that the defection of his boss to the All Progressives Congress (APC) has triggered a significant shift in the South-South political equation, with only Bayelsa allegedly warming up to join the fray.
Speaking with journalists at the weekend in Uyo, Okon, described Governor Umo Eno’s move as a “tsunami of defections that has put nails on the coffin of the former ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) across the zone.
“This isn’t just another defection; it’s what I call a ‘tsunami of defections.’ Governor Umo Eno’s move, alongside Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, is changing the region’s political DNA.”
According to him, the APC’s takeover of the oil-rich state, alongside Delta and other states, was “a major blow to the PDP in the South-South.”
The governor’s aide explained that “the defection is expected to have a domino effect, putting pressure on remaining PDP states in the region, including Bayelsa and Rivers,” adding that APC’s growing presence in the South-South could potentially cement its dominance in the region in the foreseeable future.
He noted that thousands of PDP stalwarts are switching camps, with many embracing the APC’s narrative of “aligning with the centre for development.
“This mass movement is seen as a significant shift in the region’s political alliance. The APC’s gaining of key states in the South-South could boost its chances in the 2027 elections.
“Our task now is to manage this transition responsibly – embrace new members, calm anxieties and ensure that everyone sees the long-term developmental gain. If well managed, this could cement the APC’s dominance in the South-South for the foreseeable future.”
Okon cautioned that the APC must take seriously the growing strength of the All Democratic Alliance (ADA), now consolidated as the ADC led by a coalition of influential figures including Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, David Mark, Nasir el-Rufai and Rotimi Amaechi.
