THREE commissioners have resigned from the cabinet of Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State following his defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Since the return of democracy to Nigeria in 1999, Akwa Ibom has been governed by the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
But two weeks ago, Eno told his cabinet members who were not interested in his new journey to quit.
Addressing them at the State Executive Council meeting, he had said, “It’s no more news that I’m moving; if you don’t know that by now, I don’t know what else you know.
“So, we want our commissioners and members of Excos, appointees; I am told that some of you are saying that you will not come, you are free, absolutely free not to join me, but you won’t be in my state executive council.
“So, you better just be prepared to resign the day I announce that I’m moving because you are an appointee and your loyalty is to me. You can’t be in my cabinet and play anti party, it’s not a threat, it is what it is. I won’t beg you to come, you should normally not even expect it.”
When he finally defected on Friday, the Commissioners of Special Duties and Ibom Deep Seaport, Mr Ini Ememobong; Works and Fire Service, Prof Eno Ibanga; and Finance, Mr Emem Bob, tendered their resignation.
In a post on his Facebook page, the immediate last commissioner for Special Duties and Ibom Deep Sea Port, stated that he resigned as a result of the governor’s directive.
“Today, I have tendered my resignation to the Governor in compliance with his directive that his appointees who are unwilling to join him on the political journey to the APC should resign.”
“While I cannot question or fault the Governor’s personal decision, I am unable to join in that sojourn. My decision is borne out of my belief in politics with principles and my long standing opposition to that political platform, which is daily validated by numerous Nigerians across many sectors.
“This decision does not affect my personal relationship with the Governor, who calls me his brother and reposed great confidence in me by saddling me with two very important ministries(Information and Special Duties & Ibom Deep Sea Port).I have and will continue to have tremendous respect for HE Governor Umo Eno, even out of EXCO,” he stated.
Speaking during his defection on Friday in Uyo, Eno said his defection to APC was from a place of strength and not weakness.
“Today, fellow Akwa Ibomites, we are gathered here to witness change, while equally affirming the constancy of our collective values and defining ethos as a state.
“For some time now, the political space, particularly in this state and the nation in general, have been awash with the news of my likely movement from the PDP, the platform that has provided the levers and ladder of my political ascendancy to the position of governor of this state.
“This discussion has elicited various layers of analysis in the process. Today, I am here to answer to some of those nagging questions. We should always be open to change, but not to let go of our shared values.
“Earlier this morning, I submitted a formal letter of resignation from the People’s Democratic Party to the ward chairman. The same copy has been sent to both the state chairman, as well as the national chairman.
“I want to thank the People’s Democratic Party for their support, for their love, and for working with me in these past two years in the affairs of running the state of Akwa Ibom across party lines. But this is a defining moment.
“I have therefore decided, after due consultation with all of the critical stakeholders, across the length and breadth of this state in the last three months, I believe that no one has moved progressively or has ever changed party in this state that has consulted as widely as I’ve done.
“I did that because of the respect I have for all of you as stakeholders in Project Akwa Ibom. I did that knowing that each and every one of you needed to be consulted, to be informed. I needed your counsel. I needed to explain why I am moving.
“And at this point, that consultation culminated into my meeting with all the critical stakeholders in the PDP last night in this hall where I took time to explain to all of you the reason why we must move.
“That as the children of Issachar, we must be able to interpret the times and flow with the times, and not run against the tide. Having completed the rounds of my consultation, as your servant that you have elected to serve you, i have therefore decided to progressively move to the All-Progressive Congress.
“That I have, by today’s event, changed my political affiliation. But I will continue to uphold my values, my moral fiber, my foundational principles that I have nourished and cherished all through my life. Those values will remain unchanged. And I will always work with you, regardless of party affiliations. And I’d like to say that, coming from the PDP, I want to make it emphatically clear that we are not joining the APC from the position of weakness.”
With Eno’s defection, APC is now the dominant party in South-South as it controls four of the six states, with the exception of Rivers and Bayelsa.