Akwa Ibom’s political shift: Governor Umo Eno, reunification of PDP into APC

By Emmanuel Nicholas

Many individuals have been sounding the drums of defection far louder than necessary; however, what I observe is not defection per se, but rather a reunification of the various factions of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) converging to usurp the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The APC in Akwa Ibom State traces its origins back to the Action Congress (AC), initially known as the Alliance for Democracy (AD).

The political pillar who championed the party at that time was the late Obongawan Mariah Ikpe, who defected from the PDP and introduced the Alliance for Democracy, which was then primarily recognized in Lagos.

She left the PDP because she was unable to secure the party’s nomination. By 2007, the AD had metamorphosed into the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN). It was Senator John Udodehe who also defected from the PDP and brought the ACN into Akwa Ibom State, establishing it as a formidable political front to contest the second-term election of Senator Godswill Obot Akpabio.

This marked the first time in the history of Akwa Ibom State that a strong opposition party emerged. The contest for the Hilton Mansion was fiercely fought, characterized by elements of tribalism and outright blackmail, which unfortunately led to significant violence and criminal activities within the state.

Despite the fierce opposition, Chief Godswill Akpabio triumphed; however, the election was one no one should wish to experience again, as it deeply divided Akwa Ibom State along tribal lines.

The ACN was not widely regarded as a strong political platform, being perceived primarily as a Western Nigerian party. Consequently, on February 6, 2013, the All Progressives Congress (APC) was formed through the merger of three major opposition parties: the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), and the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP).

Additionally, factions of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and the then-ruling PDP also joined this coalition. This strategic alliance aimed to challenge the dominant PDP in the 2015 general elections.

Senator John Udodehe remained the leader of the APC in Akwa Ibom State and was actively campaigning to become the party’s gubernatorial candidate. However, a twist soon emerged.

During the 2015 election cycle, the most prominent figure was Obong Umana Okon Umana, widely regarded as the likely successor to Governor Akpabio. Many in the political class believed that the rotation of the governorship among the three senatorial districts would be suspended for him to succeed.

As the primaries approached, the calls for zoning grew louder than Obong Umana Okon Umana’s aspirations. Pressure mounted on Governor Godswill Akpabio to respect the zoning arrangement for the sake of peace in the state.

Yielding to this pressure, Akpabio officially announced zoning on January 17, 2013, thereby drawing the battle lines.

Feeling betrayed, Obong Umana Okon Umana defected to the APC, secured the party’s ticket through the primaries, and contested the election alongside Deacon Udom Emmanuel, who hailed from the Eket Senatorial District. The people of Akwa Ibom honoured the zoning principle and voted against Umana of the APC, resulting in Deacon Udom Emmanuel’s emergence as governor.

During Deacon Udom Emmanuel’s second term, Obong Umana Okon Umana receded into the background, making way for Obong Nsima Ekere, who also defected from the PDP to the APC to contest the governor’s second term election.

At this time, Senator Godswill Obot Akpabio had also defected to the APC due to national political dynamics, as the APC had assumed power in Abuja and the PDP had become the leading opposition party.

Although Akpabio was the minority leader of the PDP in the Senate, he found himself marginalized by the ruling party and eventually succumbed to the pressure, defecting to the APC. This move came at a significant political cost; despite his popularity, the electorate voted for the party rather than the individual, and he lost his bid for a second term.

Obong Nsima Ekere, who had also defected from the PDP before the 2015 election but lost the primaries to Deacon Udom Emmanuel, became the APC’s gubernatorial candidate in 2019.

Deacon Udom Emmanuel won his second term, while Obong Nsima Ekere was appointed Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), and Akpabio was appointed Minister of the Niger Delta Ministry.

The most recent political figure to leave the PDP was the charismatic Senator Bassett Albert, a prominent youth political leader. After losing his election to Pastor Umo Eno under the Young Progressives Party (YPP), he defected to the APC.

Today, Governor Umo Eno, along with all remaining two senators, all members of the House of Representatives, 24 members of the State House of Assembly, the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), all members of the State Executive Council except one, 31 local government chairmen, all his aides, board members, commissioners of Commissions, stakeholders, and 364 councilors and supervisory councilors, have defected en masse to the APC.

This massive movement of political actors alongside the governor has transformed what might have been considered mere defection into a significant political movement. It is no small feat for any politician to successfully transfer an entire political platform such as the PDP to another party in a single, sweeping action.

Governor Umo Eno has thus performed an extraordinary political feat, worthy of recognition.

The APC in Akwa Ibom State is composed almost entirely of former PDP members who have, at various times, left the party. However, this is the first occasion on which the PDP has been completely emptied into the APC, primarily because it is the first time a sitting governor has defected.

Therefore, this development resembles more a reunification of PDP members who have now adopted a new name and political platform, given that the PDP has been effectively dismantled at the national level.

Every member of the APC in Akwa Ibom State was, at one time or another, a member of the PDP before defecting.

This is essentially a coming together of political friends, brothers, sisters, associates, and like-minded individuals who have resolved to collaborate to advance the greatness of Akwa Ibom State.

Governor Umo Eno has made a heartfelt decision to join the APC along with the entire Akwa Ibom populace. His primary objective is to establish a strong connection with the federal government to attract greater development and foster economic advancement in Akwa Ibom State.

This is a moment when the flags of political parties are flown at half-mast, while the flag representing the progress and prosperity of Akwa Ibom is proudly displayed at full mast. It symbolizes the reality that every member of the APC was once affiliated with the PDP, and vice versa; thus, the PDP and APC are essentially united, reflecting a government of unity.

Looking ahead to 2027, the people of Akwa Ibom will cast their votes in recognition of the substantial value added to the State by Senate President Senator Godswill Akpabio (GCON), as well as the significant contributions made by Governor Umo Bassey Eno, the unifier of Akwa Ibom State.