By Solomon OKPO
As public discourse continues to heat up over the anticipated defection of Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom to the All Progressives Congress (APC), one of his most ardent allies, Mr Emmanuel Enoidem, SAN, has made it clear: his political path has officially diverged from that of the governor.
The former National Legal Adviser of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), a respected figure within Akwa Ibom political circles and a key promoter of Governor Eno’s 2023 campaign, declared in a widely followed WhatsApp group chat hosted by Ibom Telegraph that he would not follow the governor into the APC.
“Governor Umo Eno met all my desires and expectations for Akwa Ibom Governor, except for this defection, which is my only point of departure from him,” Enoidem stated.
“I appreciate his works and want that to continue. But then, I also added that my prayer is that the failure bug in APC won’t catch up with him, ” he said.
His remarks were in direct response to concerns raised by fellow group member, Mr Unwana Assam, who questioned the propriety of supporting a defector while remaining in PDP. In a characteristically firm tone, Enoidem answered:
“Well, you can call that anti-party, but you can’t be in APC and commit anti-party by supporting your party’s candidate. That remains my decision on the 2027 Governorship.”
Enoidem emphasised that his political loyalty remained with the PDP, affirming the party’s readiness to contest all electoral positions in the forthcoming 2027 elections.
“Not defecting to APC means I am in PDP and will support PDP. This also means that PDP will have the opportunity to present candidates in all other positions in the state, ” he said.
With Governor Eno’s official defection date reportedly set for June 6, the political fault lines are becoming clearer.
What remained uncertain is how many of his current supporters will cross the aisle with him and how many, like Enoidem, will choose to stay behind and rebuild within the PDP.
