My conviction won’t allow me defect to APC, commissioner tells Gov Umo

Our reporter/ Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Special Duties and DeepSeaport, Ini Ememobong, on Friday resigned from Governor Umo Eno’s administration, saying he won’t be able to defect to APC due to his personal conviction.

Ememobong in his resignation told the governor he is unwilling to join him on the political journey to the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC).

The Governor had earlier on Friday announced his defection to APC.

Eno announced his defection from the PDP to the ruling party at the Government House.

“Earlier this morning, I submitted my letter of resignation from the PDP to the ward chairperson,” said Mr Eno. “Same copy has been sent to the state and national chairpersons of the party.”

He said he joined the APC after several consultations to align the state with the ruling party that controls the federal government.

“After completing the rounds of my consultation as your servant whom you have elected to serve, I have therefore decided to progressively move to the APC,” he declared.

Eno becomes the second PDP governor to defect to the ruling party, following Delta State Sheriff Oborevwori’s defection two months ago.

The governor recently threw his weight behind President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027.

Eno had vowed that his government would continue to reciprocate Tinubu’s love for the state across party lines by collaborating with the president despite being the leader of the party.

The governor’s defection comes days after his daughter,Jane Edidiong Ufot, posted a video on social media accusing him of sacrificing his deceased wife (her mother).

Patience Oluwakemi UmoEno died in September 2024 over an undisclosed illness.

Mrs Ufot, appointed as a senior special adviser to the governor on health, safety and environment, blasted her father, insisting that she would not be sacrificed the way her mother was, alleging a sinister threat to her life and that of her little daughter.