Mass Defection Rocks Akwa Ibom as 24 Lawmakers Dump PDP for APC…A major political shake-up has hit Akwa Ibom State following the defection of 24 out of 26 members of the State House of Assembly from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The mass exodus, which leaves only two lawmakers still in the PDP, marks a defining moment in the state’s political landscape and signals a shift in the balance of power ahead of the next election cycle.
The defection comes in the wake of Governor Umo Eno’s dramatic switch from the PDP to the APC, a move that has sparked ripples across the political structure of the state.
Governor Eno, who was elected under the PDP platform, announced his defection to the APC earlier in June, citing the need to align the state with the federal government for developmental purposes.
His decision was quickly followed by a wave of realignments, with key political stakeholders including commissioners, local government chairmen, and now state legislators, abandoning the PDP in favor of the ruling party.
According to political observers, the lawmakers’ defection is not surprising, given the close ties many of them have with the governor and the political advantages of aligning with the party at the center.
READ MORE: Adamawa Government Revokes Atiku’s Waziri Title Amid Traditional Council Restructuring
However, the sheer scale of the defection — 24 out of 26 — has stunned even the most seasoned political watchers in the state.
The two remaining PDP lawmakers are yet to issue official statements on their decision to stay, but they now represent a minority in a House overwhelmingly controlled by the APC.
The development has triggered strong reactions from within the PDP.
Several party leaders and loyalists have condemned the defections as opportunistic and a betrayal of the mandate given by the people during the last general elections.
Some party members have called on the PDP national leadership to take legal action against the defectors, insisting that their seats should be declared vacant and fresh elections conducted to restore the party’s mandate.
One of the most vocal voices, a prominent PDP chieftain in the state, argued that the people of Akwa Ibom voted for the PDP and not for individuals, and therefore any elected lawmaker who crosses to another party should automatically lose their seat.
According to him, the defection undermines democratic principles and disrespects the will of the electorate.
The party is reportedly consulting legal experts to explore possible court action against the lawmakers and the governor, in what could lead to a protracted legal battle over the legitimacy of the defectors’ positions.
Despite the backlash, the APC has welcomed the defectors with open arms.
The state leadership of the party described the move as a wise decision that will benefit Akwa Ibom in terms of development, federal presence, and political relevance.
They also praised Governor Eno for taking what they called a bold and strategic step in repositioning the state within the mainstream of national politics.
The APC believes the new political alignment will help fast-track major infrastructural projects such as the Ibom Deep Seaport and other federal initiatives that have previously stalled due to political differences.
However, not all reactions have been positive.
Critics of the governor’s move, including some civil society groups and former political office holders, have accused him of using state machinery to coerce lawmakers and local government officials into following his lead.
They argue that democracy thrives on diversity of opinion and political competition, and warn that a one-party dominance in the state assembly could lead to an erosion of accountability and effective governance.
As the dust settles on the mass defection, the political terrain in Akwa Ibom is undergoing a seismic transformation.
With the APC now in firm control of both the executive and legislative arms of government, attention will shift to how the new political order will deliver on its promises to the people.
For the PDP, the challenge will be not just legal but also strategic — rebuilding its structure, regaining public trust, and preparing for what may be its most difficult election cycle in the state’s history.
