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PDP Hopes to Win Akwa Ibom Governorship Election Despite Governor's Defection

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The acting National Chairperson of the PDP, Umar Damagum, expressed optimism that the party will win the 2027 governorship election in Akwa Ibom State, despite the defection of Governor Umo Eno to the APC. Damagum commended former commissioner Ini Ememobong and former House of Representatives member Onofiok Luke for their commitment to the party, stating that many "credible" PDP stalwarts, including Ememobong and Luke, will help the party win elections in the state.

Key Takeaways:

  • The PDP acting National Chairperson, Umar Damagum, expressed hope for the party's victory in the 2027 Akwa Ibom governorship election despite Governor Umo Eno's defection to the APC.
  • Damagum commended former commissioner Ini Ememobong for being a "principled politician" who refused to defect with Governor Eno.
  • Ememobong resigned as commissioner after Eno announced his defection to the APC, citing the governor's directive.
  • Former House of Representatives member Onofiok Luke, who is from the same local government area as Eno, also refused to defect from the PDP.
  • Both Ememobong and Luke are active in the party and have expressed their commitment to the PDP.
  • Governor Eno, who was former governor Udom Emmanuel's preferred candidate, defected to the APC in June, citing the PDP's crisis and his desire to support President Bola Tinubu's re-election bid.

Statistics:

  • 26 years: the duration of the PDP's rule in Akwa Ibom State before Governor Eno's defection to the APC.
  • 2: the number of PDP stalwarts who refused to defect with Governor Eno, including Ini Ememobong and Onofiok Luke.
  • 1: the number of governors who have defected from the PDP to the APC in 2023, including Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State and Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State.

Sources:

  • "PDP hopeful of winning governorship, other elections in Akwa Ibom, despite Governor Eno's defection" (TheCable, June 13, 2023)
  • "Ibom Deep Seaport: Eno's reason for quitting PDP" (Punch Newspapers, June 7, 2023)

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