PDP Leaders in Akwa Ibom Reject Governor Umo Eno’s Defection to APC, Demand Legal Action and Bye-Elections
Prominent members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Akwa Ibom State have condemned Governor Umo Eno’s recent defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC), describing the move as illegal, insensitive, and a betrayal of the party and the people.
Speaking during separate interviews and press briefings, PDP chieftains Dr. Tom Fredfish and Prince Jeremiah Akpanudo called on the party’s national leadership to take urgent legal action to challenge the governor’s defection, dissolve the state executive council, and declare the seats of all defecting lawmakers vacant.
Governor Umo Eno announced his defection last week, citing internal crisis within the PDP and his admiration for President Bola Tinubu. “I can’t be visiting the president in the night and saying something different during the day,” Eno said, adding that his government remains inclusive and above partisan lines.
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But Fredfish, chairman of the PDP Advocate for Peace and Justice, dismissed the governor’s justification. “The only reason he gave is that he admires the President. That is not a legal or moral ground to abandon the platform that sponsored him into office,” he argued.
Citing Section 221 of the Nigerian Constitution, Fredfish emphasized that only political parties—not individuals—can sponsor candidates in elections. “Akwa Ibom people voted for PDP, not Umo Eno as an individual,” he stressed.
Using a vivid analogy, Fredfish added: “It’s like eating at Kilimanjaro and paying at Chicken Republic. Or taking a flight with Ibom Air and paying Air Peace. That’s outright cheating.”
He also accused the PDP leadership in the state of silence and complicity. “They’re not speaking out because many plan to follow the governor to APC. That’s why I’m calling on the PDP National Chairman to immediately challenge this defection in court.”
Fredfish also alleged that Eno previously hinted at leaving the PDP due to uncertainty over his second term bid. “Why is he the only one concerned about re-election? What about our senators, House members, and state lawmakers?” he asked.
Adding to the backlash, Prince Jeremiah Akpanudo called for immediate action from the PDP’s national secretariat, demanding that all defectors—including lawmakers and local government chairmen—vacate their seats.
“This is betrayal, not only of the PDP that brought them to power but of the people of Akwa Ibom who trusted them with their votes,” he said at a press conference in Uyo.
He described Governor Eno’s defection as “double standards,” noting that the governor previously claimed he would still hold on to the PDP while aligning with APC.
Akpanudo further urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and Akwa Ibom State Independent Electoral Commission (AKISIEC) to declare the governor’s seat, along with others who defected, vacant—and conduct fresh elections immediately.
“Their names were not on the ballot—PDP was. The mandate cannot be transferred to another party like a piece of luggage,” he said.
He revealed that consultations with legal experts are already underway to explore court options. “We are speaking with lawyers to interpret the legality of this defection and pursue justice through the courts,” he said.
As tensions rise within the Akwa Ibom PDP, both Fredfish and Akpanudo pledged that the party would field strong candidates in 2027 and reclaim the trust of the people. “Akwa Ibom is not a one-party state, and come 2027, the will of the people will prevail,” Akpanudo vowed.
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