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Tinubu, Bola

Pressure Mounts on Akwa Ibom Governor to Defect to APC

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, has expressed his love for President Bola Tinubu and the APC, but lamented that he would have preferred to stay in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) due to the party's internal crisis. Eno's comments suggest that he is under immense pressure to defect to the APC, despite his claims of being able to win the 2027 election on the PDP platform. The governor's worries are fueled by the defections of several opposition lawmakers to the APC, with some sources confirming that former governors were promised ministerial positions and current governors were assured of return tickets.

Key Takeaways:

  • Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, has expressed his love for President Bola Tinubu and the APC, but lamented that he would have preferred to stay in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
  • Eno's comments suggest that he is under immense pressure to defect to the APC, despite his claims of being able to win the 2027 election on the PDP platform.
  • The governor's worries are fueled by the defections of several opposition lawmakers to the APC, with some sources confirming that former governors were promised ministerial positions and current governors were assured of return tickets.
  • The APC has gained significant ground in the National Assembly, with at least 38 lawmakers switching to the ruling party since July 2023.
  • Despite the defections, the opposition parties have taken consolation in the fact that President Tinubu defeated his opponents in only 12 out of the 36 states in the 2023 election.
  • Akpabio's declaration in January 2024 that the APC would produce the next governor of Akwa Ibom State has created uncertainty for Governor Eno's reelection bid on the PDP platform.

Statistics:

  • 38 members of the National Assembly (8 senators and 30 House members) have defected to the APC since July 2023.
  • 25 governors supported President Tinubu in the 2023 election.
  • 12 out of the 36 states were won by President Tinubu in the 2023 election.
  • APC secured control of 59 seats in the Senate and 175 in the House of Representatives in the 10th Assembly.
  • PDP had 118 members in the House of Representatives, LP had 35, NNPP had 19, and others held the remaining seats.
  • Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, has expressed his fears about his reelection bid on the PDP platform, citing the inconsistencies of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Sources:

  • "Nigerians migrating to the APC and expressing support for Tinubu are doing so out of their free will, based on the belief that the reforms being executed are in the interest of Nigerians and the unborn generation." - Mr. Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser on Information and Strategy.
  • "Nigerians cannot blame President Tinubu and the governing APC for their poor organisation, indiscipline, and gross incompetence in managing their affairs." - Mr. Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser on Information and Strategy.
  • "We have worked very hard, and even if we contest on a zero party, we will win the election. There is no doubt about it." - Governor Umo Eno, Akwa Ibom State.
  • "You know, wherever the Senate president is, that is where the party is. Is it possible that Nigeria will give Akwa Ibom the number three citizen and at the end of the election, it will not produce an APC governor?" - Senator Godswill Akpabio.
  • "For me, it is no longer news that I am leaving the party (PDP). If you don't know that by now I don't know what else you know. I am a PDP person, I love the PDP and I want to stay in the PDP but clearly, I don't have a roadmap to be able to guarantee that I will be able to have a smooth sail during the election." - Governor Umo Eno, Akwa Ibom State.

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