Reaffirming his people-centered leadership style, Eno declared, “This government belongs to the people—it is for you, with you, and by you.”
Uyo, Nigeria – Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, has stirred political speculation following statements hinting at a possible defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), questioning the party’s viability as a platform for his political journey beyond 2027.
Addressing a large gathering at a constituency outreach event in Ikot Akpankuk, Ukanafun Local Government Area, the governor used a metaphor that many have interpreted as a subtle signal of his intent to jump ship. “If you wanted to travel with Ibom Airline and it developed a fault just before takeoff, wouldn’t you board the next available plane to reach your destination?” Eno asked, drawing loud reactions from the audience.
The statement, coming amidst growing concerns over disunity within the PDP, appears to mirror recent political developments, including the defection of Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). Eno’s comments have been widely seen as a soft launch of his potential exit strategy from the PDP.
Despite voicing doubts about the party’s stability, Governor Eno reassured his constituents of his continued dedication to delivering on his administration’s promises. “Governance doesn’t end at elections,” he said. “We’re here to listen, assess your needs, and let you know what we’ve done and what we intend to do.”
As part of the constituency engagement, the governor distributed a variety of empowerment packages to over 400 constituents. These included grants for traders and farmers, business development support, and essential equipment. Specifically, 154 traders benefited from financial grants, 116 farmers received assistance, four entrepreneurs were each given N5 million to boost their businesses, while 131 others received equipment to support their livelihoods.
Governor Eno encouraged the beneficiaries to make wise use of the resources provided, warning against risky investments such as Ponzi schemes. He also emphasized the importance of responsible economic behavior in the face of rising financial uncertainties.
So far, the engagement initiative has covered four out of the state’s ten federal constituencies. Governor Eno noted that the administration intends to complete visits to all constituencies ahead of the 2026 budget planning cycle. “We will review your requests and prioritize them based on available resources. What we can’t do now will be captured in future budgets,” he assured.
Reaffirming his people-centered leadership style, Eno declared, “This government belongs to the people—it is for you, with you, and by you.”
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