Following the defection of the Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), Ini Ememobong, one of the state’s cabinet members, has resigned.
Before his resignation on Friday, Ememobong was the state’s Commissioner for Information, Special Duties, and Ibom Deep Sea Port.
In a letter dated June 6, 2025, and addressed to the governor, Ememobong said his resignation was in compliance with Eno’s directive that appointees unwilling to move with him from the PDP to the APC to quit.
“You have directed that any appointee who is unwilling to accompany you to switch from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress, should resign.
“Ipso facto, based on my personal conviction, I hereby most respectfully tender my resignation as Honourable Commissioner for Special Duties and Ibom Deep Sea Port and a member of the State Executive Council,” Ememobong said.
Eno’s defection occurred some six weeks after his Delta State counterpart, Sheriff Oborevwori, left the PDP for the APC, a move many political observers have linked to the 2027 election.
The possibility of Eno’s defection first became public knowledge in April when he declared his support for the President’s re-election at the flag-off of the 65-kilometre, three lane dual carriageway section of the highway project in Nsit-Antai Local Government Area of the state.
Two weeks ago, the governor told his commissioners and appointees to follow him to the APC or resign their positions.
Eno was elected the governor of the South-South state in March 2023 and was sworn in as governor later on May 29 of the same year.
He worked in different banks before he ventured into the hospitality business.
The former Commissioner for Lands and Water Resources in Akwa Ibom State is the founder of All Nations Christian Ministry International.
