As Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State finalizes plans to defect from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), elected local government councilors in the state have vowed not to follow him—citing a lack of consultation and respect for their positions as grassroots representatives.
A senior member of the Forum of Elected Councilors, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told reporters that the governor’s failure to engage them in the ongoing political transition is being viewed as a humiliation.
“Nobody has talked to us about defection, so we are not defecting to anywhere. Elections are not done in the government house, but in the units. If the governor does not consult us, we will remain in the PDP,” the official said.
He explained that while the governor had reportedly consulted national and state legislators, local government chairmen, and other key political actors, he had deliberately ignored the elected councilors—those who, he said, command real influence at the ward level.
The forum member warned that without meaningful dialogue and negotiation, the councilors would not be part of what they described as a “blind bandwagon.”
“Some of us have strong prospects for a second term under PDP due to zoning arrangements. If we defect, we risk everything by entering a party already structured around other interests. What will we tell our wards and supporters?”
The councilors believe their electoral significance is being underestimated, noting that no political stakeholder can secure ward-level victories without their support. “The critical stakeholders the governor has spoken to cannot win elections in our wards without us,” the councilor added.
Reacting to the councilors’ position, a serving commissioner in the state government, who requested anonymity, dismissed their concerns, insisting that the governor owes no further explanations.
“The governor already consulted and received the backing of the local government chairmen. As far as we are concerned, that’s sufficient. Most of these councilors didn’t even win elections in their wards on their own merit.”
The commissioner added that Governor Eno has made it clear that defection is voluntary and that no political office holder is being forced to switch parties.
Governor Umo Eno, elected under the platform of the PDP in 2023, has yet to officially announce his defection. However, rising speculation and internal tension within the PDP have fueled concerns over the potential realignment of political forces in the state.
The standoff with councilors adds a new layer of complexity to what could become one of Akwa Ibom’s most significant political transitions since 1999.
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