As political permutations intensify ahead of the 2027 general elections, the defection of Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) has stirred political debates across the South-South region.
However, a prominent PDP chieftain and former federal lawmaker, Dr. Michael Enyong, has moved to allay fears, asserting that the governor’s exit will not jeopardize the PDP’s electoral prospects in the state.
Speaking during a press briefing in Uyo, the state capital, Enyong, popularly called Babantan, dismissed concerns over the potential erosion of PDP’s influence, stating emphatically that the party's structure remains "intact, strong, and deeply rooted in the political consciousness of the Akwa Ibom people.
"PDP is a Religion in Akwa Ibom."
Enyong, who represented the Uyo/Nsit Atai/Uruan/Ibesikpo Asutan Federal Constituency in the 8th and 9th National Assemblies and chaired the House Committee on Solid Minerals, described PDP’s political dominance in the state as “unshaken.” He referred to the party as more than just a political organization, declaring: “PDP is a religion in Akwa Ibom.”
Despite Umo Eno's high-profile switch, Enyong insists that the pillars of the PDP—the grassroots mobilizers, key stakeholders, and loyal electorate have remained with the party. “The people who make PDP win elections are still with us. Governor Eno’s defection is not a political earthquake. It’s a mere ripple in a pond,” he said.
Perhaps more significantly, Enyong urged the PDP’s National Working Committee (NWC) to pursue legal redress against Governor Eno. Citing Section 221 of the Nigerian Constitution, he argued that political mandates belong to parties, not individuals.
“Governor Eno defected just two years after using PDP’s platform to win. That’s political betrayal. He should vacate his seat. The party should test the law in court and challenge the defection,” Enyong stated, branding Eno’s actions as a “clear case of political double standard.”
He expressed further disapproval over the governor’s alleged intent to retain control over PDP structures even after joining the APC. “How can someone leave a party and still insist on controlling its internal structures? That’s not only unethical; it’s politically toxic,” he warned.
The defection of a sitting governor from one political party to another, especially so early into an electoral term, is not a novel occurrence in Nigeria’s political landscape. However, it often reveals deeper fissures within party structures—ranging from internal power struggles to personal ambition.
Political analysts suggest that Eno’s move could be part of a broader realignment strategy by the APC to consolidate power in the South-South ahead of 2027. But for Enyong and other PDP loyalists, the governor’s exit may offer an opportunity to reposition the party and shed what he terms “political baggage.”
“We are already reorganizing PDP in Akwa Ibom State. We’re not worried. We’re battle-ready,” he said, in a tone of both defiance and optimism.
The 2027 elections will be a litmus test—not just for the PDP’s resilience in Akwa Ibom, but also for the democratic integrity of Nigeria’s party system. With a history of political defections often driven more by personal survival than ideological differences, the Nigerian electorate faces a continual challenge in holding politicians accountable to party platforms and campaign promises.
For Enyong, however, one thing is clear: the PDP still holds the political and emotional loyalty of Akwa Ibom people. Whether that loyalty will translate into electoral success in 2027 remains to be seen but the former lawmaker is betting on it.
