The whispers have transformed into a resounding announcement: Governor Umo Eno has made the official leap to the All Progressive Congress (APC). Tomorrow, an elaborate ceremony at the Godswil Akpabio International Stadium will welcome him and a number of other political defectors into the APC fold, promising a spectacle rich in rhetoric and symbolism—a theatrical display of loyalty to a party that many just yesterday openly criticized.
In the lead-up to this event, the atmosphere has been charged with attempts to rationalize the governor’s switch. Supporters, media aides, and political strategists have inundated public discourse with narratives designed to legitimize what some perceive as a self-serving choice. Governor Eno asserts that his move to the APC is for the greater good of Akwa Ibom State. However, one could argue that this claim stretches the limits of believability. Akwa Ibom has flourished under its previous governors—consider Obong Attah, whose enduring legacy reflects a steadfast commitment to the growth and development of the state.
In essence, while the governor has the right to pursue what he believes is the path of least resistance, what truly raises eyebrows is the sight of seasoned politicians—individuals who have thrived under the aegis of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP)—now openly disparaging the very party that helped elevate them. It raises an essential question: How can they conveniently forget that it was the PDP that provided them with a platform to achieve their political aspirations, and not the APC?
Obong Attah proudly represented the PDP while transforming Akwa Ibom into a model of development. Chief Godswil Akpabio etched his name in history as a PDP governor, laying down crucial infrastructure, such as the International Stadium. Even the immediate past governor, Udom Emmanuel, made significant contributions to the state, all while firmly aligned with the PDP.
To assert that aligning with the center equates to exponential development for Akwa Ibom is not only misleading but arguably deceptive. If this were the case, we would expect states like Cross River to thrive under APC governance, with the Calabar Free Trade Zone flourishing. The reality, however, paints a starkly contrasting picture, as many APC-led states find themselves lagging behind.
Let’s address the elephant in the room: there is an ongoing leadership crisis within the PDP at the national level. While it’s a legitimate concern that this turmoil could hinder Governor Eno’s chances for nomination and potentially lead to legal complications, for me, opting for the APC seems less about progress and more about political survival.
As politicians take the podium tomorrow to regale us with their speeches, they must remember that their current standing owes much to the PDP. Their new support for Governor Eno should be genuine and intentional, devoid of the flimsy excuses about connecting with the center. After all, if the success of Lagos under Tinubu is anything to go by, we must ask: was Lagos even connected to the center during its transformation?
Moreover, we cannot ignore the plight of those APC states in the North-East, where the specter of insecurity looms large. The Federal Government’s promises have often proven fruitless, paying lip service, leaving citizens vulnerable and at the mercy of terrorism, banditry, and violence. Meanwhile, the ongoing humanitarian crises—witnessed in states like Borno, Yobe, and Zamfara—continue to spiral out of control, leading to immense suffering and displacement. What has the Center does to stop the killings? This is the question we must collectively ask.
As we move forward, I hope that we do not usher in a climate of insecurity to our beloved Akwa Ibom, which has long been a haven of peace.
Akwa Ibom Politicians, we deserve better than deceptive narratives and hollow promises. It’s time to speak the truth and acknowledge where you came from.
God bless Akwa Ibom State!
My name is Abasiubong Tom (The Paramount Ruler)
When Will Politicians Learn?
