Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State has officially defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), marking a major political shift in the South-South region.

Eno announced his decision during a press conference held in Uyo on Friday, confirming weeks of speculation about his political future.

“Having completed the rounds of my consultations as your servant, I have therefore decided to progressively move to the All Progressives Congress (APC),” the governor said.

“We are not joining the APC from a position of weakness — we are joining the APC from a position of strength,” he added.

Governor Eno said his decision was driven by a desire to fully support the economic reforms of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. “Nigeria is at a critical point, and I believe in the president’s vision for economic renewal and national stability,” he stated.

His defection comes just six weeks after Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori also left the PDP for the APC — a development analysts say signals a growing shift in the political dynamics of the South-South geopolitical zone.

Speculation about Eno’s political move began in April when he publicly declared support for President Tinubu during the flag-off of a 65-kilometre, three-lane highway project in Nsit-Antai Local Government Area.

Further signs emerged two weeks ago when Eno reportedly instructed commissioners and appointees in his administration to either follow him to the APC or resign from their positions.

Governor Eno was elected under the PDP banner in March 2023 and officially took office on May 29 of the same year. His defection is expected to have wide-reaching implications for party structures and alignments in Akwa Ibom, a state long considered a PDP stronghold.