The political landscape of Akwa Ibom State is witnessing major realignment as seven members of the House of Representatives have left their parties to pitch their tents with the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The lawmakers, who include six former PDP members and one from the Young Progressives Party (YPP), made the switch barely weeks after Governor Umo Eno formally defected to the APC.
The defectors are Unyime Idem, Martins Esin, Paul Ekpo, Uduak Odudoh, Okpolu Etteh, Bassey Okon, and Emmanuel Ukpong-Udo, who was elected under the YPP platform.
Their defection, believed to be influenced by Governor Eno’s recent move, signals a deepening political shift in Akwa Ibom as the APC gains more ground.
Governor Eno, during a state broadcast in June, had declared his decision to join the APC, insisting the move was from a position of strength and aimed at aligning with Tinubu’s economic reforms.
“I have completed consultations. I’m joining the APC not from weakness, but to support the President’s vision,” the governor had stated.
The governor had also directed all political appointees to either follow him to the APC or resign.
