Governor Eno Forced Me to Defect to APC – Former PDP Legal Adviser Reveals

A former national legal adviser of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mr Emmanuel Enoidem, has disclosed that Governor Umo Eno personally pressured him to defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The revelation comes ahead of the 2027 general elections in Akwa Ibom State, where political alignments are rapidly changing.

Enoidem, who said he had been with the PDP since 1999, explained that his decision was not sudden.

He stated that repeated emotional appeals from Governor Eno weakened his resolve and eventually made him abandon the party he helped build.

The prominent politician made this known during a closed-door meeting with political leaders at the Uyo residence of Senate President Godswill Akpabio. The meeting lasted into the early hours of Friday and preceded his formal defection.

Describing the pressure he faced, Enoidem said the governor sent him several messages that troubled him deeply.

“Governor Umo Eno sent me a text message that gave me sleepless nights; he told me he is empty without me,” he said.

He added that the governor repeatedly appealed to him at public gatherings and private meetings.

“I remember very well when he told me he was joining the APC; the governor did not rest. At every point he sees me, whether in church or at any event, he would tell me ‘my brother, I am very empty without you.’”

Enoidem further narrated that a particular message sent on January 9 affected him for days.

“On January 9, the governor sent me a text message that kept me awake for three different days. For three different days I couldn’t sleep because of that particular text message.”

According to him, he asked for time to pray before making a decision.

“My reply was that I want to pray for three days; that he should wait for that three days to come. He later stormed my house with leaders of Akwa Ibom State that we used to work together for him.”

He said that visit sealed his decision.

“That night, it was impossible for me to say no to the governor. And that has given birth to this meeting today.”

At the gathering, Enoidem expressed joy at reuniting with Senate President Akpabio, whom he previously served under as a commissioner when Akpabio was governor between 2007 and 2015.

His official defection took place in Utu Etim Ekpo, the headquarters of Etim Ekpo Local Government Area.

Governor Umo Eno attended the event alongside Senate President Akpabio, members of the State Executive Council, party leaders, elders and APC stakeholders.

During the ceremony, assurances were given that President Bola Tinubu, Senator Akpabio and Governor Eno would secure second terms in office. Supporters were urged to mobilise voters and strengthen party structures across the state.

Following Enoidem’s exit, only a few notable figures are believed to remain in the PDP in Akwa Ibom. They include former Governor Udom Emmanuel, the party’s publicity secretary Iniobong Ememobong, and former Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Onofiok Luke.

Reacting to concerns that Akwa Ibom may be drifting toward a one-party system, the Commissioner for Information, Dr Aniekan Umanah, dismissed the claim.

He said the political movement should not be seen as domination by one party but as a collective effort for unity and development.

However, Enoidem described the situation as “one, united Akwa Ibom” rather than a threat to democracy.

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