Entire Akwa Ibom Has Moved To APC, Says Nsima Ekere

Obong Nsima Ekere, former Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom State and ex-Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), has declared that the entire Akwa Ibom State has officially moved to the All Progressives Congress (APC), following Governor Umo Eno’s defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Ekere, who was the APC’s 2019 governorship candidate in the State, made the statement during an exclusive interview with ARISE TV on Sunday.

Ekere stated that Governor Umo Eno’s movement to the APC was not merely a personal defection but a collective decision by the people of Akwa Ibom after extensive consultations.

“The entire State is excited about the movement of Gov Umo Eno. This is not a defection. Akwa Ibom State has moved to the ruling party. All of us are together.

“Come to the Akwa Ibom State and see what is happening: the APC, even when he was a PDP, had endorsed him for a second term, the Inter-party Advisory Council (IPAC) also endorsed him. The state is aligned to the ARISE Agenda of his administration,” Ekere said.

He dismissed concerns about Nigeria sliding into a one-party state given the wave of defections to the APC across States of the federation, insisting that APC’s growing dominance reflects public confidence in President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

He revealed that Governor Eno had spent months consulting traditional rulers, religious leaders, elders, women, youth groups and citizens before making the switch.

According to Ekere, the APC is now seen as the party of choice in Akwa Ibom, and Governor Eno will contest the 2027 election on the APC platform, winning by a landslide.

“Nigeria is not sliding into a one-party state. We are aware of discussions now ongoing for a coalition that will challenge the APC during the 2027 election. We were all in this country when PDP had almost 30 governors.

“Would you have said Nigeria was operating a one-party state then?
There’s no point over-dramatizing this,” he said.

Ekere also addressed the recent resignation of Commissioner for Special Duties and Ibom Deep Seaport, Ini Ememobong, on the heels of the Governor’s defection.

“Ini Ememobong is a friend of mine. Every politics is local. He comes from Ibiono Ibom LGA, and there are discussions that have to take place, that are yet to. No other person has resigned. The governor has wide acceptability in the state,” he explained.

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