Why I Joined APC – Gov Eno

• Akwa Ibom Governor Umo Eno explains the reason for his defection from PDP to APC.
• Eno cited “enlightened state interest” and support for President Tinubu’s economic reforms as reasons for his move.
• Three commissioners and some lawmakers resigned in protest, choosing to remain with the PDP.

Governor Umo Eno of Akwa-Ibom, on Friday, officially defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) three months after he first dropped hints of the move.

EKO HOT BLOG reports that although a number of his cabinet refused the movement by resigning, an overwhelming majority of his State Executive Council members, members of the State House of Assembly, Federal Lawmakers from the state and Local Government Chairmen transitioned to APC with him.

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Their mass defection is the second of such by a governor, lawmakers, commissioners and local government chairmen.

Although three of Eno’s commissioners opted to remain in the PDP by resigning their appointments, the other cabinet members and officials pledged their total support for the governor citing his visionary and exemplary leadership style.

Nine APC Governors led by Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma, who doubled as Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF), were present to welcome Governor Eno.

Uzodimma said the event was not a defection but a movement, “The people of Akwa Ibom are shifting to the progressive fold, and we welcome you warmly as you connect to the centre.”

Eno, while addressing the audience, said, “It was Dalai Lama, one of the world’s most highly admired moral voices, who spoke so eloquently about change and the constancy of values.

Gov. Emo Uno Defects To APC

“Dalai had advised the world to ‘Open your arms to change, but don’t let go of your values.’

“Today, fellow Akwaibomites, we are gathered here to witness change while equally affirming the constancy of our collective values and defining ethos as a state.

“For some time now, the political space, particularly in this state and the nation in general, has been awash with the news of my likely movement from the PDP, the platform that had provided the levers and ladder of my political ascendancy to the position of Governor of this State.

“The discussions have elicited various layers of analysis in the process.

“Today, I am here to answer some of those nagging questions. Like Dalai Lama had said, we should always be open to change but not let go of our shared values.

“Earlier this morning, I submitted my formal Letter of Resignation from the PDP to my Ward Chairman. Same copy was sent to both the State Chairman as well as the National Chairman.

“I have, therefore, decided to progressively move to the All Progressive Congress, the APC.

“Standing before you today, I make bold to state categorically that though I have by today’s event changed my political affiliation from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All-Progressives Congress (APC), my values, my moral fibre, the foundational principles I have nourished and lived by remain unchanged and sacrosanct.

“Why am I in the APC, you may ask? The answer is short and simple: Enlightened State Interest is predicated on the need to align our State with the Centre to attract more Federal presence.

“Today, as I make this formal movement from the PDP to APC, I pledge to you again, my dear Akwaibomnites, that I will still run a bi-partisan and inclusive governance.

“Akwa Ibom State, I promise you will be a model of how to work together, pray together, aspire together, dream together and achieve together without the polarising impulses of partisan politics.

“Political parties remain vehicles for elections. I will continue to ensure that governance is done through the prism of bipartisanship.”

Eno added that he was inspired to join the APC by President Bola Tinubu’s track record of achievements over the years.

The Akwa-Ibom Governor said, “President Tinubu, GCFR, has possibly, in the recent history of this Nation, faced the most daunting economic challenges of any leader.

“With boldness and deep convictions, he has faced these challenging moments head-on and come up with solutions that, though in the immediate aftermath are tough for Nigerians, are beginning to bear long-lasting and sustainable effects.

“The removal of petrol subsidy, though a hard decision, has brought more funds to sub-national entities to pursue audacious projects that are positively affecting the lives of their people.

“Akwa Ibom State today is more of a construction site with many life-touching projects across the 31 local government areas.

“The economic fog is becoming clearer, the confidence in our economy is growing and we need to support him to finish this huge task of national re-awakening and economic renewal.

“It is a known fact that I have never hidden my admiration for the President and his patriotic devotion to national renewal which he is engendering today.

“As a young professional working in Lagos, while he was the governor, I was amazed and fascinated by the manner he ran Lagos, and had, with focus and vision, raised the profile of Lagos State to become a leading sub-national in the country, while facing daunting challenges.”

While maintained that his defection to the APC was a gift to Tinubu, he added that he has absolute trust in the leadership of the APC-led federal government led by President Tinubu.

Eno said, “To those who may be concerned by this Progressive movement, I want to assure you that I have received enormous assurances of support and seamless integration from our dear President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, and the Senate President, Distinguished Senator Godwill Akpabio, GCON, and the Progressive Governors’ Forum.

“Those who know our dear President will attest to the fact that his words are his bond. This movement, falling on a day that we mark Sallah, is our own gift to our President, and it has a divine connotation.”

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On his part, the Secretary to the State Government, Prince Enobong Uwah, on behalf of the members of the State Executive Council, pledged their unwavering support and alignment with Governor Eno following his defection to the APC.

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