Between Gov. Umo Eno and the waning lynch mob

By Ofonime Honesty

In the court of public opinion, it is easy to condemn before understanding, to vilify before verifying. While Akwa Ibom State Governor Umo Eno and millions of Akwa Ibom people’s decision to join the All Progressives Congress (APC) has gone down well with a great percentage of the populace, the Governor, particularly, has found himself in the crossfire of few.

I have read a couple of newspaper columns and also seen a vitriolic clip of a television interview granted by a Nollywood thespian cum politician. The views encoded in those communications were akin to brandishing hammer and nails to literally crucify a man who simply crossed a partisan line.

Well, I keep postulating that the beauty of democracy lies in the plurality of opinions. Different shades of opinions enrich the democratic process, but it is trite to admit that facts will always outweigh unsubstantiated opinions. Most opinions are canvassed from an uninformed position.

But before we sharpen our nails to literally crucify Governor Eno, we should pause and ask: is this decision justified, or are we being swept away by the tides of political sensationalism?

Must we always rush to judgment like a lynch mob baying for blood? Must we reduce every political calculation to betrayal without examining some of the difficult circumstances our leaders are left to navigate? What do the people of Akwa Ibom stand to gain or lose?

Defections are not new in Nigerian politics. They are as old as the Fourth Republic itself—driven by ambition, survival, or sometimes, genuine ideological realignment.

Let’s not ignore the elephant in the room—the deepening uncertainties within the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). Once Nigeria’s dominant political force, the party has been plagued by internal strife, dwindling influence, and a lack of cohesive direction. When a house is on fire, even rats have the good sense to flee. Why then should we expect a governor to remain trapped in a burning building out of some misplaced sense of loyalty? The PDP’s greatest undoing has been its inability to put its house in order.

From unresolved leadership tussles to its shrinking footprint in national politics, the PDP increasingly resembles a sinking ship, with key figures scrambling for alternatives.

Take for instance, a letter issued by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), dated June 13, 2025, addressed to the PDP. INEC was responding to PDP’s notification of intent to hold its 100th NEC meeting.

In the June 13 letter, INEC pointed out that the proposed NEC meeting was not in compliance with the requirements of Part 2(12)3 of the Regulations and Guidelines for Political Parties, 2022, which provides that “the National Chairman and National Secretary of the Party shall jointly sign the notice of convention, congress, conference or meeting and submit same to the Commission.”

The disputed Acting National Chairman of the PDP, Umar Damagun, was the sole signatory of PDP’s letter. Yayari Ahmed Mohammed is also laying claim to the National Chairmanship seat. The national secretaryship position is also involved in an unending tug-of-war between Samuel Anyanwu and Sunday Ude-Okoye.

With the 2027 polls in sight, the PDP ship has become a theater of the absurd. Any governor still clinging to its wreckage does so at his own peril—and more importantly, at the peril of his people. Of course, we know the legal implications of warring party officers endorsing electoral documents for aspirants.

Against this backdrop, can we honestly blame Governor Eno—or any pragmatic leader—for reconsidering his political home? If the PDP can no longer provide the stability or leverage needed to deliver for Akwa Ibom, what moral burden does he bear for seeking greener pastures? Politics, after all, is about power—and power is useless if it cannot be wielded effectively for the people. Power detests distractions.

The bigger picture: Akwa Ibom people cannot demand development but punish politicians who dare to cross party lines, even when such moves could lead to better alignment with federal projects or broader coalitions. If Governor Eno’s defection leads to the actualization of the Ibom Deep Seaport, I hereby endorse it. If his defection paves way for the release of humongous funds generated from 76 oil wells awarded to Akwa Ibom State by the Supreme Court since 2012, I hereby endorse it. Funds generated from the 76 oil wells, hitherto dragged by Cross River State, are stashed in an escrow account held by the presidency.
I refuse to see his defection as mere leap into political oblivion.

The culture of cynical condemnation without context is toxic for democracy. If we truly want genuine progress, we must learn to weigh political actions with wisdom, not just rage.

Let us evaluate his reasons, assess the implications for Akwa Ibom, and judge him based on his overall service at the end of his tenure—not just a single political decision. If a man switches parties but delivers good governance, is he truly a villain, or are we just prisoners of partisan bias?

(Ofonime Honesty is a journalist)

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