You won’t regret decision to join APC, Uzodimma tells Akwa Ibom Governor
Chairman of the Progressives Governors Forum and Governor of Imo State, Sen Hope Uzodimma has told his brother Governor Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Umo Eno, that he will not regret his decision to dump the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) for the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Governor Uzodimma spoke at the Akwa Ibom Government House on Friday where he was joined by eight other APC Governors to receive Governor Eno into the APC at an enlarged stakeholders meeting.
“You will not regret this decision to join the Progressives. We are willing, able and capable. We are happy to receive you. It is a home coming for you. We will support you. The President, the leader of our Party will support you. The National Assembly under the leadership of your brother, the Senate President Goodwill Akpabio will support you. We will support Akwa Ibom State,” Governor Uzodimma said.
Governor Uzodimma said that President Tinubu’s reforms have started yielded the desired results and explained that like minds are needed to join him to turn things around completely in the country.
He said Governor Eno has proven to be one of like minds as the Progressives Governors.
Governor Uzodimma explained that Akwa Ibom will never be the same again following the decision of the Governor and the leaders of the State to link up to the national political grid, noting that “rather than interpret what happened as defection, I see it as a movement, a progressive decision.”
He commended the Governor for consulting both widely and wisely with the critical Akwa Ibom State stakeholders, explaining that the quality of persons who attended the defection meeting said it all.
Also, Governor Uzodimma saluted Governor Eno’s performance so far in Akwa Ibom State, explaining that he owed it to the Governor’s organisational mind.
Earlier in his speech, Governor Eno said that he sees his new Party as a vehicle to continue to provide services to the people of Akwa Ibom State and to unite them the more.
He noted that he believes in a united Akwa Ibom State and that whatever platform he finds himself in will be used to advance that course.
Governor Eno lauded the transformation reforms of President Tinubu, and insisted that “for the sake of Tinubu for 2027,” he is glad to align with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the President to deepen the economic and social reforms in the country, and in the interest of Akwa Ibom State.
He reiterated his earlier call on his aides to join him to his new political platform, saying, ” I demand from my first eleven total loyalty and I would want them to join me. I demand complete loyalty.”
Governor Eno thanked Mr, President, the Governors, the Akwa Ibom State leaders, the leaders of all the Parties in the State and everyone who showed solidarity to his new thinking, saying others who are thinking differently now will see reason shortly.
The highpoint of the event was the formal defection of all the Governor’s members of the State Executive Council, the Chairmen of all the Local Government Areas in the State, members of the State House of Assembly, members of the National Assembly from Akwa Ibom.
Governor Uzodimma and his colleagues thereafter handed over to Governor Eno the symbolic APC broom just as the Governor replaced his cap with that of Renewed Hope.
Other Progressives Governors who attended the event include: Governors Babajide Sanwolu (Lagos), Lucky Aiyedatiwa (Ondo), Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), Francis Nwifuru (Ebonyi), Monday Okpebholo (Edo), Abiodun Abayomi Oyebanji (Ekiti), Sheriff Oborevwori (Delta) and Bassey Otu (Cross River).
The Senate President was represented by his wife, Mrs. Ekaette Unoma Akpabio while the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Alhaji Abubakar Atiku Bagudu was also in attendance.
The Chairmen of the APC from adjoining States, key leaders like former Administrator of the State, Group Capt Sam Ewan, former Deputy Governor Nsima Ekere, Sen Effiong Bob, former Minister of Petroleum, Chief Don Etiebet, and too others too numerous to mention.
