The Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Works and Fire Service, Prof. Eno Ibanga, has officially defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), receiving his party membership card from the Ukpum Minya Ward 1 chairman in Mkpat Enin Local Government Area.
Ibanga’s formal registration comes ahead of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s scheduled visit to Akwa Ibom for the official reception of Governor Umo Eno into the APC fold this weekend.
Addressing party faithful at the ward secretariat, Ibanga confirmed that over 1,000 individuals—including local government appointees, former House of Representatives member Rt. Hon. Udobong Ekpo, ex-PDP chapter chairman Nkereuwem Akai, and several councillors—had followed him in switching allegiance to the APC.
He reaffirmed his loyalty to Governor Umo Eno, stating, “Wherever His Excellency stands, I stand with him. As a loyal aide, I joined the progressives from the onset to provide full support for the ARISE Agenda and his re-election in 2027.”
Ibanga noted that the defection was not due to state-level disagreements but a response to the ongoing instability in the PDP at the national level. He cited the party’s inability to convene a NEC meeting and the recent rejection of such a proposal by INEC as clear signs of systemic dysfunction.
He explained that Governor Umo Eno’s move to the APC was strategic and well-considered, aimed at ensuring Akwa Ibom State remains politically aligned with the federal centre for continued development.
“Let it be clear that this transition will not derail the progress we have made. On the contrary, it will unlock more federal support and opportunities for the people of Akwa Ibom,” he emphasized.
To facilitate grassroots mobilisation, the commissioner donated a new motorcycle to the APC ward chairman to aid movement across communities for membership registration and party card distribution.
Speaking earlier, the Mkpat Enin APC Chapter Chairman, Hon. Utitofon Jeremiah, commended Prof. Ibanga’s consistent service and expressed delight at his defection.
“Your presence adds immense value to this ward. As chapter chairman, this is my first ward visit since the movement began, and it is because of your credible leadership,” he stated.
Jeremiah assured new entrants of equal rights, stressing that the APC constitution grants all members, regardless of entry date, the same privileges and responsibilities.
“Whether you joined years ago or just today, your voice matters equally. There’s no distinction between old and new members when it comes to rights and participation,” he added.
Welcoming the commissioner, the ward chairman pledged his cooperation and urged him to extend his known grassroots welfare approach to APC members.
“We trust that with you in our party, the dividends of democracy will be more inclusive and impactful at the grassroots level,” he concluded.
The defection event was attended by APC chapter executives, ward councillors, supervisory councillors, former officials of both PDP and APC, and a wide array of stakeholders across Mkpat Enin Local Government Area.
