Gov Eno set to dump PDP, orders cabinet to follow or resign

Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State has formally announced his intention to leave the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), citing persistent internal crises and a lack of a clear path to re-election within the party.

Speaking at the State Executive Council meeting on Thursday, Eno said the unresolved leadership issues at the national level of the PDP posed a serious risk to electoral success, including possible disqualification on technical grounds.

“I love the PDP; I want to stay in the PDP, but clearly, I don’t have a roadmap to guarantee a smooth sail in the elections,” he said in a video published by Channels Television. “Even if we contest on a zero party, we will win in this state. But at the national level, our party is not coming together.”

He warned that continued internal disputes could invalidate candidacies based on technicalities such as unauthorized party officials signing nomination forms.

Eno, who has been hinting at a defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC), told his commissioners and appointees they must either follow him into the APC or resign from their positions.

“You are free not to join me, but you won’t be in my state executive council,” he declared. “Your loyalty is to me. You can’t be in my cabinet and play anti-party.”

However, he clarified that political appointees who refuse to defect with him would not be considered enemies, insisting that his decision is firm and not subject to negotiation.