Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Umo Eno, has directed all commissioners and political appointees in his cabinet to either defect with him to the All Progressives Congress, APC, or resign from their positions.
According to reports, the directive was issued at an ongoing State Executive Council session on Thursday, where the governor openly confirmed his decision to leave the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, for the APC.
Sources present at the meeting revealed that Governor Eno made it clear that his defection should come as no surprise to any of his appointees, stating:
“Anybody who claims he is not aware of my intention to leave the PDP is still living in the 18th century,” he said.
He established that his decision to align with the APC was prompted by his respect for President Bola Tinubu governing style, adding that he wants to work more closely with the Federal Government.
The governor gave a firm warning to his appointees, saying he has “nothing to negotiate” with anyone who is not willing to follow his political direction.
“Apart from elected officials like House of Assembly members and Local Government Chairmen, I have nothing to negotiate with you,” Eno declared.
“Let me tell you, anybody who believes that when I leave the PDP he will use the party structure to fight me is lying, because I will still control the PDP structure.”