In a significant political development, seven members of the Akwa Ibom State caucus in the House of Representatives have defected from their opposition parties to join the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). The lawmakers, elected under the banners of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and the Young Progressives Party (YPP), made their move official on Thursday through separate letters addressed to the Speaker of the House, Tajudeen Abbas.
The defectors include Unyime Idem, Martin Esin, Paul Ekpo, Uduak Alphonsos, Eteh Ikpong, Emmanuel Udom, and Okon Bassey. Their collective shift to the APC strengthens the ruling party’s grip in the National Assembly and signals a broader political realignment in Akwa Ibom State. The letters detailing their defection cited varying reasons, including the desire to align with the “progressive vision” of the APC-led federal government.
This wave of defections comes just weeks after the state governor, Umo Eno, made headlines by switching allegiance from the PDP to the APC. Governor Eno’s move appears to have created a ripple effect, further eroding the PDP’s influence in the state and bolstering the ruling party’s foothold ahead of future electoral contests.
Political analysts suggest this trend may reshape Akwa Ibom’s political landscape, once considered a PDP stronghold. With increasing numbers shifting toward the APC, observers anticipate a possible domino effect as more politicians weigh their options amidst Nigeria’s evolving political dynamics.
