The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Akwa Ibom State has remained silent days after the state governor, Pastor Umo Eno, officially defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) on June 6.
Governor Eno, who rose to power under the PDP — a party that has governed Akwa Ibom for the past 25 years — cited his admiration for President Bola Tinubu, a desire to align the state with the federal government, and the internal crisis within the PDP at the national level as reasons for his defection.
However, key PDP figures in the state, including Eno’s political mentor and former governor, Udom Emmanuel, have not followed him to the APC. Instead, they have reiterated their commitment to the PDP and have yet to publicly react to the governor’s move.
When contacted, PDP State Chairman, Aniekan Akpan, declined to comment but assured that the party would speak at the appropriate time.
Insiders suggest that the PDP’s silence may be strategic, allowing the party time to reorganize and present a strong candidate from Uyo Senatorial District in the 2027 gubernatorial elections — one capable of challenging Governor Eno at the polls.
Meanwhile, a pro-PDP group known as the PDP Advocates for Peace and Justice (PAPAJ) has called on the party to challenge Eno’s defection in court. The group warned that if the PDP fails to act, it will pursue legal action independently.
In a statement released in Uyo by its Chairman, Dr. Tom FredFish, PAPAJ argued that Governor Eno’s defection lacks any valid justification beyond his personal admiration for President Tinubu.
FredFish accused the governor of violating Section 221 of the 1999 Constitution by abandoning the party that sponsored his candidacy.
“We are baffled,” he said. “Governor Eno failed to give any substantial reason for leaving the PDP, beyond expressing support for President Tinubu. The question now is — did Akwa Ibom people vote for a PDP governor just to become an admirer of Tinubu or make his reelection a priority?”
The group expressed concern over the implications of Eno’s statements, calling them unrealistic in the face of national economic hardship and democratic backsliding under the Tinubu administration.
Citing Section 221, which prohibits any association other than a political party from canvassing for votes or contributing to election funds, FredFish insisted that only the PDP has the constitutional right to govern Akwa Ibom since it sponsored Eno’s election.
Referencing the court case Hon. Satty Gogwim v. Hon. Zainab Abdulmalik & Ors, the group emphasized that the authority to sponsor a candidate lies solely with political parties — a power that cannot be usurped by any other body, including INEC.
“Governor Eno has no legal, moral, or emotional right to transfer PDP’s mandate to the APC,” he stated. “It’s like someone boarding a flight with Ibom Air, then landing and paying Air Peace instead — that’s unjust.”
PAPAJ further argued that Section 68(1)(g) of the Constitution supports their claim and urged the PDP to act swiftly.
“We are giving the PDP four days to take legal action against the governor’s defection. If they fail to do so, we will commence lawful proceedings to reclaim the party’s mandate,” FredFish warned.
While acknowledging Governor Eno’s constitutional right to associate with any political party, PAPAJ insists he must first relinquish the PDP’s mandate before joining the APC.
“If he truly believes in Tinubu and the APC, why didn’t he contest under their platform from the onset?” FredFish questioned. “This situation is troubling for our democracy, and the judiciary must step in to restore order.”
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