Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Special Duties and Ibom Deep Seaport, Mr. Ini Ememobong, has resigned from the State Executive Council, following Governor Umo Eno’s formal defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Governor Eno, who made the official announcement during a high-level gathering in Uyo on Friday, had earlier signaled the impending defection and issued a clear directive to members of his cabinet: resign if unwilling to follow him to the APC.
“It’s no more news that I’m moving; if you don’t know that by now, I don’t know what else you know,” the governor told his cabinet at a prior Executive Council meeting.
“You can’t be in my cabinet and play anti-party—it is what it is.”
Following this directive, Mr. Ememobong publicly announced his resignation in a Facebook post.
“Today, I have tendered my resignation to the Governor in compliance with his directive that his appointees who are unwilling to join him on the political journey to the APC should resign,” he wrote. Ememobong emphasized that his decision was guided by principle, noting his longstanding opposition to the APC and his belief in politics with integrity.
“While I respect the Governor’s right to make a political choice, my personal values and convictions do not align with the APC. This decision does not affect my personal relationship with the Governor, who calls me his brother and entrusted me with two very important ministries.”
Governor Eno described his defection to the APC as a “defining moment”, insisting that it was made from a position of strength, not weakness.
“After three months of consultations with critical stakeholders across the state, I believe we must move,” Eno said.
“Like the children of Issachar, we must interpret the times and flow with them, not run against the tide.”
He added that his core values, moral compass, and leadership principles would remain unchanged despite the political shift.
“I have changed my political affiliation, but I will continue to uphold my values… and work with you regardless of party affiliations.”
Governor Eno’s defection marks a major political realignment in the South-South region. With his move, the APC now controls four of the six states in the region, leaving only Rivers and Bayelsa under PDP leadership—a dramatic shift for a region historically aligned with the opposition.
