Akwa Ibom Government Evicts Journalists from Government House
The Akwa Ibom State Government has expelled a journalist and a cameraman from the press centre at Government House, Uyo, following the broadcast of a video in which Governor Umo Eno confirmed his planned defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The incident stems from a Thursday event at Government House, initially held to review the administration’s projects, where Governor Eno announced his impending defection. Addressing cabinet members, he stated, “We want our commissioners and members of Exco, appointees, and those of you who are saying that you would not come, you are free absolutely not to join me, but you won’t be in my State Executive Council. Prepare to resign the day I announce that I am moving because you cannot be in my cabinet and play anti-party.” The defection is reportedly scheduled for the first week of June.
Governor Eno cited the PDP’s leadership crisis, particularly ongoing litigation over the party’s national secretary position, as the reason for his decision. He vowed to retain control of the PDP structure in Akwa Ibom, potentially setting the stage for a clash with his predecessor, Udom Emmanuel, who has reportedly refused to join the APC.
Sources revealed that the governor’s spokesperson, Ekerete Udoh, had warned reporters in the Government House Press Corps, including the affected journalists, against publicizing the video. However, the footage was aired on Friday, reportedly causing embarrassment to the governor. On Saturday morning, Udoh informed the journalist and cameraman that they were barred from the press centre. A source claimed, “The governor was so furious, he wanted to sack Ekerete and disband the entire press corps.”
The journalist, Christopher Moffat, has been a Government House correspondent for over a decade, while Kufre Ikpe served as the cameraman. Efforts to reach them for comments were unsuccessful at the time of this report. Udoh’s phone line was also switched off.
Until this incident, Governor Eno, who assumed office in 2023, had maintained a positive relationship with the media, with no prior records of harassing or arresting journalists. The eviction follows a recent visit by a media executive to Governor Eno during the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations Week in Uyo, where the governor was praised for his reputation and governance.
The general manager of the affected media outlet, Ambrose Okoh, told reporters on Saturday afternoon that he was unaware of the eviction of his staff.
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