KEBBI GOVT DONATES 10 HILUX VEHICLES TO BOOST SECURITY ON SOKOTO–BADAGRY SUPER HIGHWAY. (PHOTOS).
In a dramatic political shift, Rt. Hon. Udeme Otong, Speaker of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, announced on Tuesday that 24 of the 26 lawmakers have defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC). The announcement was made during a plenary session in Uyo, marking a significant realignment in the state’s political landscape.
Elder Otong disclosed that he had received resignation letters from the 24 lawmakers, who cited internal conflicts within the PDP’s National Working Committee as their reason for leaving. Initially, the Speaker did not clarify his own status among the defectors or address the positions of the two remaining lawmakers. However, he later revealed that Hon. Sunday Johnny, representing ONNA State Constituency and the House Leader, remains with the PDP, now a minority in the Assembly. Otong directed Johnny to step down from his leadership role, appointing the Chief Whip, Hon. Effiong Johnson of Mbo State Constituency, as Acting House Leader pending the selection of a permanent replacement.
Sources within the Assembly indicate that Engr. Uduak Ekpo-Ufot, the representative for Etinan State Constituency, is the second lawmaker who has not joined the APC, reportedly remaining loyal to former Governor Udom Emmanuel alongside Johnny. Emmanuel has yet to publicly comment on the defection of his successor, Governor Umo Eno, and other political allies.
The lawmakers’ move follows a broader wave of defections in Akwa Ibom, with prominent figures—including Governor Eno, state Executive Council members, federal and state lawmakers, local government chairmen, councillors, and political aides—transitioning to the APC. At a reception for new APC members on Saturday, Governor Eno explained that his decision was partly to align Akwa Ibom strategically with the federal government led by President Bola Tinubu.
The defection of 24 lawmakers solidifies APC’s dominance in the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, leaving the PDP with only two representatives as the state braces for new political dynamics.
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