Umo Eno, governor of Akwa Ibom state, has hinted at a possible defection to the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, ahead of the 2027 general election. 

Speaking on Tuesday at the Ukanafun/Oruk Anam federal constituency town square meeting held at QIC Central School, Ikot Akpankuk, Eno likened the PDP to a faulty aircraft.

“What Akwa Ibom people want is good governance, not the name of the party,” he said.

“If you wanted to travel with Ibom Airline, and on the verge of taking off, it developed a fault that won’t enable it to fly, won’t you board the next available plane to take you to your destination?

“Whether Ibom Air or Air Peace, board the flight that is ready to take you to your destination. Board the flight and forget the name of the airline.”

The governor’s remarks followed a wave of defections from the PDP, with Sheriff Oborevwori, governor of Delta, being the latest to move to the APC along with his supporters.

Eno said the PDP is now fragmented and risks grinding to a halt before the 2027 elections.

He urged the people to remain steadfast in their support for his administration and its commitment to delivering on campaign promises.

The governor also distributed “empowerment packages” to more than 400 beneficiaries, including business grants, vehicles and other support items.

Recall that the governor had assured President Bola Tinubu, two weeks ago that the people of the state “will stand by him to complete eight years,” in office.

Mr Eno gave the assurance in Uyo during the flag off of the Akwa Ibom – Cross River states section of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway.

“Let me end by assuring our people-loving president, who will complete eight years because we are going to stand by him. And this is the truth. He cannot start this work and abandon it. Somebody else may not finish it,” Mr Eno said in his remarks.

Continuing, he said “The Bible says, who is this mountain that is standing before Zerubabel? The hand that started this work. That hand shall complete it. Our prayers for Mr President is for good health to finish the work that he started and commission this work so that this work will not be abandoned like the East-West Road,” he said.

On Monday, the national working committee (NWC) of the PDP held an emergency meeting over the wave of defections that has rattled the party in recent weeks.

After the meeting, Umar Damagun, acting national chairman of the PDP, said the party’s national legal adviser has been directed to take action over the defection of Oborevwori and other members to the APC.